down that path

sadness overwhelms, lying down

under the weight of chaos

of knowing that without foundation

of adherence to respect and truth

with the inability to communicate

let alone trust

with the acceptance

of ‘alternative facts’ and unsubstantiated accusations

there will be no security of self

yet we rush to go down that path

though we learned where it takes us

only eighty years ago

paper tigers, paper people

paper tigers, paper people

without depth of character

or understanding for compassion

torn by conflicting ideas

needing settled truths

even those dictated by authority unquestioned

uncomfortable being challenged

to consider let alone comprehend

beyond the labels of good and evil

but ready to castigate, to punish

any who come to other conclusions

feeling righteous, these paper tigers

can acquire fang and claw