the debate is safely
within the magic box
a consensus imagined
but not real
for every issue
there are predetermined
firewalls
outer bounds never to be scaled
never to be explored
if you happen to be vying
for a space in a shelter
you don't count
if you take the bus
you don't count
if you refuse the phony
hand of hypocrisy
you will be shunned
if you are aboriginal
you know what to expect
if war is not an answer
there are always lies
if you expose the lies
you'll go to prison
if your water is poisoned
or your dog barks at fracking trucks
you don't count
if you've built a trojan horse
and called it an ark
some will call you a visionary
--- e b bortz
