Society Notices First

My breath is being stolen
from my lungs out my lips,
my eyes are covered by cloth,
so tempting to remove.
I could,
if I truly tried,
but what would I see?

Would I notice the wars
or the famine,
the hate and the lies,
the death.
What of disease,
maybe of anger,
would I notice this first?

Or would I notice the peace
the kindness,
the love and the truth,
the life.
What of knowledge,
maybe of happiness,
would I notice this first?

My mouth is gagged by nothing,
so tempting to speak.
I could,
if I truly tried,
but what would I say?
Would I preach of gossip,
hurtful,
the hate and the anger.
How about lies,
or even of murder,
would I speak of such sordid affairs?

Or would I preach of respect,
loving,
the peace and the brave.
How about truth,
or even birth,
would I speak so whimsically?

My ears are clogged with cotton,
so tempting to take out.
I could,
if I truly tried,
but what would I hear?

Would I catch the screams
or the cries,
the politics and the jury.
What about bullying,
or sneering,
would my ears catch this?

Or would I catch the songs,
or the laughter,
the banter and the pride.
What about stories,
or joy,
would my ears catch this?

My breath is being stolen
from my lungs out my lips,
my mouth is gagged with nothing,
my ears are clogged with cotton,
and though all these questions are relevant,
the real one would have to be,
am I brave enough to answer them?