Waking to the sound of a reluctantly swiveling gate
Hearing the pound of the chest and unknown steps
Of disinterested official with voice and gaze of stone
Curtly addressed and left hanging like the open door
Oozing from cell like pus from an open sore
A larger room with a mixed gaggle, about 15
Rich and poor, young and old, careful and care free
A quiet word to a quiet soul, inquiry and story told
But no answers, no one knew what they were in for
Except each would allow a thought to go where it goes
Almost as swiftly released as they were suddenly detained
A mere warning, slap on the brain, state approved shame
No armed police, no overt censorship and little force
Hardly a word spoken coarse, freedom lawfully decreed
Nudum pactum, the freedom to fly, to jump off a cliff
Wandering the unfamiliar and near empty streets roughly home
Stumbling upon a half hidden and seemingly desolate bar
Surprise at the sight of a stranger, turning to warm welcome
A strange place, no digital screens, no virtual reality
Still man-made comfort, but just people, just talking
Ideas expressed and challenged between these motley few
Thrilling, but mostly frightening, no respectful taboo
The shock of casual conversation with a young woman
Waves of shivers from a polite but generous smile
A social meal to replace a diet of processed convenience
But all of this is intimidating and unmasterable
Retreating to own room, with own screens and bed
Machine generated companions who never surprise
Virtual friends, virtual sex and virtual life
Atrophy in comfort any tools to endure strife
No, foregoing generations were not greater than us
We do not suffer what we must not, nor should we
If the crisis should come our natures can respond
But what if it should creep and show a kind face
To fit our desires, our choices are all we can conspire
Where Lilies Lie 