Native Son
November 2013
the generation after the greatest one
grew up as proud daughter and son
heir to their own brave new world
in a new time their lives unfurled
fresh challenges and future shock
nuclear ticks on a doomsday clock
mindful of the price once paid
for freedom earned with blood in trade
perplexed at today’s reality
perhaps the greatest regret what they have done
in this tear-it-down mentality
what are the feelings felt by its native son?
still these are the days
of a future gratefully sought
do the greatest ones regret
what they have wrought?
pachyderm rule over a herd of red asses
vigilant guardians of a racist view
native sons shocked at what passes
democracy led askew
they have endured the age’s new ways
techno gifts of a digital dawn
old minds turn negative and stiff
wherever has ‘what’s right’ gone?
© 2013 Brooks Bradbury / Innspired Hospitality