by
Around the world, elated voices cried,
"Freedom!" as the spectre of red doom was
Exorcised in the birth of disparate states.
Untainted by the heralding gloom,
Of economic collapse and civil war,
Committees of individuals defined their uniqueness
And thereby several new nations sired.
The walls came tumbling down.
The two are one again.
But some are more equal and some are bad.
It's time to clean up.
"Here's to ethnic purging, and the birth of a nation!"
Dictators were devoured in the arena.
In dying colour. In your living room.
After much talk and fear of cultural death,
A united Europe was rejected as a bad idea.
"We are Europe's distinct society," the Major said.
These stories and more; news at eleven.
But that's all far away, so don't worry.
All we want is self government. Oh...
And our own country. No. This province will do nicely.
Thank you.
Oh, and veto over anything we don't like.
And use of your currency, armed forces and postage.
Oh, and...
Then the west cried "What about us?"
We want all those things too.
The states having already fallen, fell further.
"Too much individuality is bad," they said.
"Let's outlaw this and outlaw that. Can't have
these sick and depraved among us."
Those left behind created their own societies
since they could not share those who declared them
criminals.
Then came the cities who declared their individuality.
And the suburbs who felt their distinct flavour being
swallowed in low income housing.
Fences rose higher.
Borders grew more defined.
Better make it electric.
Can't trust anybody.
Look out for number one.
Each by each the distinct societies grew.
First Joe on Park Ave, then Horace on Main.
Ellen, Maria, Jacob, Pedro, and Ted grew walls,
But Gloria's were nicer. She used real brick.
Until there was only me.
I did not want to separate.
I believed in unity and freedom for all.
Yet I gazed at the fences that surrounded me
and by process of elimination, the last
separatist became himself distinct.
And alone.
At least I will be able to preserve my individuality.