dusk arising

there was a boy

there was a boy
who grew to be
a big tall man
just like his father

father taught him
all he knew
about intollerance
bigotry and cruelty
from behind
a civilised mask of
duplicity

the man married
and begat a son
with whom
he shared
his inheritance
passing down
his bigotry and cruelty

but this son
grew up watching
television
and by the time
he became
yet another
big tall man

he was determined
never ever
to pass on the
emotional garbage
imprinted in
the welts
on his back

we may easily
mock and decry
television programs
overlooking the
immense good
they have done for
our western
social conscience

injustices viewed
upon a small screen
within the intimacy
of our homes
re-educate us
to re-evaluate
our prejudices

many aspects
of our society
are improved
and more informed
thanks to
that much cursed
television

my father
and grandfather
did not have
the benefit of
television in
their formative years.