out there in the world
you complain of a culture of silence
where nothing can be heard
because nothing can be said
because nothing can be understood
because there are no words
conversations cannot happen
the agenda has been set
there is no other business but business
& business
          is business as usual
no debate; no dissent
no disease; no dictators
no discussion; no death
no dreams & no democracy
& making a fuss
& shaking things up
          is frustrating
                    maybe futile
so it's funny that
in here, in our lives
I complain of a culture of silence
where nothing can be heard
because nothing can be said
because nothing can be understood
because there are no words
there is no time to talk
& our patterns have been set
& there is no other living but living
& living
is living
& there is no other loving but loving
& loving
is loving
          is living
                    is business as usual
no debate; no dissent
no fear; no feelings
no flames; no falling
no finding; no future
& making a fuss
& shaking things up
          is frustrating
                    maybe futile
so it's funny that
out there in the world
you complain of a culture of silence