Now Then

By Cliff Lake

 

Now Then

 

Now some crazy thing your attention snares,

You can’t get away and it isn’t fair.

Now someone else’s something electrifies the air,

Now some new reality frizzes the hair.

 

Now is another day just full of fuzz,

Hearing all about who does not and who does.

Now something else is all the buzz,

Now you have to care because.

 

Hearing the why, wherefore, and how,

The noise that steady creases the brow,

So much opinion through which to plow,

Lost in the static of now.

 

The constant abrasion to the brain,

The constant derision buried in false claim.

The constant deflection as the treasuries drain,

The constant direction to set the world to flame.

 

Now I keep hearing of peace through might.

Now I keep hearing only the rich have rights.

Now I keep hearing all the lies take flight –

Now I have trouble sleeping at night.

 

Hearing the why, wherefore, and how,

The noise that steady creases the brow,

So much opinion through which to plow,

Lost in the static of now.

 

I would see the clearing of the air,

I would listen for the heartfelt prayer,

I would help any that show they care,

I would wish these were not so rare.

 

Now some sort of end is begun,

Now some of the noise can be undone.

Now can belong to anyone,

Now is not the time to run.

 

Hearing the why, wherefore, and how,

The noise that steady creases the brow,

So much opinion through which to plow,

Lost in the static of now.

 

Cliff Lake 4/17/2026

Copyright © Clifford Lake 2026

Location: Wichita, KS, USA

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