NOTHING'S CHANGED (C)

Sitting on cold concrete steps,

listening, watching,

sadness comes

fills bloodless veins

as songbirds sing on stage in park

of prospects for better tomorrow

filled with peace and love.

Warm breeze blows memories backward

35 years when same songs were sung

with different words desiring an

end to Vietnam’s blood spill.

Homespun pleadings for harmony,

ring out, John Lennon tears remain.

Imagine. Give Peace A Chance.

Nothing’s changed.

Melody’s revised, Pete Seeger’s acclaimed.

Naivety dies. Dreams crash and burn,

and wisdom comes late to aged wet eyes.

Children dance to folksy rhythm, guitar

and fiddle play, and little child unaware

twirls round melodious words of despair,

slathered with hope.

Mother scolds sucking thumb, and

wonder comes: Will you child,

be singing decades from now

same songs with different words?

Will cold concrete fill your veins

when you realize, nothing’s changed?

Scanning bucolic scene,

parents, children on blankets spread,

nary a gray-hair can be seen.

Rise up, stand, creaking bones,

take your cemented sadness home.

Leave the park with grassy knoll to

parents with children relaxing.

Your songs were played and heard

and sadly will be closeted away,

till once again pulled out, dusted off

to be sung another day.