This poem was written somewhere between '97 and '99. The "disease" initially was a metaphor for the sociological notion of "false consciousness," an idea somewhat similar to J.-P. Sartre's "bad faith," Erich Fromm's "mechanical man" and themes found in Albert Camus' The Plague.

The Disease

I've watched it grow
I've seen it sow
true minds into despair

souls of sorrow
ladened deep
burning horrid stares

I've seen it work
at lightning speed
to destroy mankind's seed

through the air
it does its deed
this is its only care

sans partiality
sans decency
Yes, this is "the disease"

You over there!
you believe you're clear
of this melancholy breeze?

Well let me tell you
if you please
it's a fatal,
dreadful siege

For once contracted
once enacted
you'll go on normally
"it's okay"
"I'm just fine"
"yes, I think I am still free"

But then, alas!
the grippe is tightened
beyond all points of ease
and shipwrecked sailors on the sea of life
all drown
irrevocably

Yes I've seen this blight
'cross this land
and winds are blowing high
no apple pie nor starlit nights
will save this rotting sky
all is darkened
all are dead
all are doomed to die

Lance it fast while time remains
avoid a fearsome plight
destroy this curse
and rest assured
your mark is
for the
light

Cast it out and let us pray
"Lord give us back our sight"
Cast it out to guarantee,
Truth shall conquer might



The Disease © Copyright M. Clark 2008 (written in Ottawa, Canada). All rights reserved.

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Earthpages copyright © Michael Clark 1999 - 2008. All rights reserved.