Pawns in a Game

A virulent virus spreads; everything's on pause.

Governments scramble to survive.

When leadership falters, life is more uncertain.

We see that with number Forty-five.

The president attempts to act presidential

But leaves us with a giant question mark.

At a time when honesty is needed more than ever,

We are often left out in the dark.

When leaders spout that certain things are more important

Than living, we should run the other way.

They have sold themselves to cruel heartlessness.

They're the predators and we, the prey.

We can do our best to live out our lives.

Let's not subject ourselves to blame,

Even though at times we can't help but feel

That we are merely pawns in a game.

Some governors tell us to get back to work

Before safety measures are in place.

To them we are nothing but numbers, figures--

Statistics in an deadly database.

Some irresponsible newscasters say,

"This is not so bad as it seems."

Downplaying the danger to satisfy their whims,

They hurt us all by spreading dangerous memes.

Playing with our lives, many leaders try

To judge our worth based on market price.

If we want to win, some of us must lose,

They say to us while handing us the dice.

We can do our best to live out our lives.

Let's not subject ourselves to blame,

Even though at times we can't help but feel

That we are merely pawns in a game.

-by Bob B (4-30-20)