The Us vs. Them Paradigm

On our differences,

the powerful capitalize,

creating the “Us versus Them” paradigm,

and cutting us to size.

“Divide and conquer” being

their modus operandum,

swinging our emotions

like the oscillations of a pendulum.

Science and arts are the restoring forces

that bring us together,

and strive to lighten our burden

down to the weight of a feather.

Artists show us the beauty of the world.

Scientists help us understand the world.

And they create to beautify that world.

But the forces of division are mighty.

Divisions lead to war,

a most lucrative enterprise,

with fortunes to be made,

and power to be gained.

Love leads to material loss.

To love is to put the welfare of others first.

Who would do that?

Only fools and dreamers, they claim,

who do not see the shark

encircling them,

going for the kill,

under the cover of the dark.

The victim’s loss is the victor’s gain,

who, when fully satisfied

feints friendship and peace once again.

But only for a short while,

until the next war

promises the biggest feast by far.