Anytown, USA

By Joseph McGowan

What kind of society have we allowed ourselves to become
When on the TV news another act of terrorism against innocent students flashes
Across the screen by a stranger with a gun?

And what drives one to do such a cowardly and evil deed?
Is it part society’s fault that we accept Hollywood’s glorification of weapons and
Violence as entertainment to satisfy their monetary greed?

It seems that family values have long been tossed, and now society has to deal
With the misfits it has forgotten who stumble around soulless and lost.

For, they are calling out violently screaming, “Can’t you help me?” but their cries
Fall on deaf ears and it seems all in vain.

So they say, “Well, if you won’t help me then I’ll blow you away, and you too can
Also share my pain.”

Well, if you’re panicked now, Mr. and Ms. America,
it’s something you’d better get used to.

‘Cause the tide of thoughtless slaughter came to Littleton today, and it just might
Be coming to a town near you.

And flashing on the news 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
More innocent live wasted, more children gone to heaven, more parents left
Alone to weep.

Ever wonder what happened to movies that depicted society as sacrificing, hard
Working, help-thy-neighbor, tight-knit families like in “It’s a Wonderful Life?”

Well, I’ll tell you they’ve been replaced by slasher films about homicidal maniacs
That are killing and stabbing you and your children right in the back with a knife.

Video games that entice you kids to fight to the death in mortal combat
Over time desensitize their young minds to the violence.  Is that where you want
Your kids’ heat at?

No.  Not every child will go bad who grows up today in our society, that’s a fact
But the bloody handwriting is being scrawled on the wall for the world to see by
The ones who fall through society’s cracks.

Scenes from movies depicting violence against on another are being acted out
in classrooms across the nation.

Kids who should be studying and playing sports are locking and loading in
Insane adolescent frustration.

Come on America, this is your wake up call, or what does it take?
We’re headed down the wrong path.  We need to change for our children
And our own sake.

Or you might as well post signs along the border that read, “Welcome to the USA,
Lock your doors, lock and load, duck and cover, and kneel down and pray.”

Our children look upon almost religiously to the mighty tarnished silver screen on
Which they’re being shown scenes of murder, rape and violence.

Can’t we see, can’t we talk, yet we allow it to go on, even paying to see the
Carnage and all along in disgust, sitting on our hands in silence.

As a child, if you grow up nurtured, watching your father work with his hands
And apply yourself, you have a chance you will grow to be like him,
A carpenter, when you’re a man.

If a child is subjected to repetitious violence in his life and on TV,
The higher the likelyhood he’ll look to solve his problems with violence for all the
World to see.

Glorification of violence as a nation, we’ve let it rear its evil head today.
Now’s the time to start to change or the sign at the end of your street will read,
“Lock your doors, lock and load, duck and cover, kneel down and pray.”

(In memory of the students, teachers, families, and people of Littleton.  May their passing not be in vain.