Debate Debacle or Therein Lies the Rub

Debate Debacle Or Therein Lies the Rub

Might we call him an elder
Certainly
With all the signs of age
His voice was not strong
His words – retrieved
Sometimes with effort
His pauses
Some would call “deadly”
To begin in such a way
Gave his opponent the apparent upper hand.

In our United States of America
We do not treasure
Nor even sometimes
Respect
Our elders
Do not value their wisdom
Nor appreciate their thoughtfulness
We have jumped 
To the next topic
As the elderly
Are still pulling
From their vast wealth
Of knowledge, experience
And wisdom
In order to give a thoughtful response
To the question
We have now abandoned

We succumb 
To the false image
Of power and authority
Bombastic bullies
Who speak forcefully
With certitude
And immediacy
Are heard
Are listened to
And, unfortunately,
Often believed
Without discernment
As they spew 
Pseudo impassioned rhetoric
Made up of convenient
Mistruths
Lies.

We, in America
Are at risk 
Of jumping aboard
This balderdash of
Sounds bites
And fabrications
Spoken with practiced
vehemence. 

We are in danger
Of falling for 
The Hollywood Scene
Instead of
True vision
With a solid foundation.
We must listen well
With respect
And intelligent discernment
And above all, concern for 
This country 
Which we are so blessed 
to inhabit.