Photo by Martin Lladó/iStockphoto
Since the revolution will not be televised, will we miss it?
Will we miss it because we are tuned to the TV watching reality shows
about people trying to find love or looking at their messed-up lives
while we are texting about ours?
Will we miss it because we are busy listening to radio disc jockeys
giving us their opinions and judgments on things they know not and
we listen to them because we know not ourselves?
Will we miss it because, just because, just because, just because….
Will we miss it because we listen and adhere to songs that tell us
to blame our lives, our mistakes, our faults, our bad behavior
on the a-a-a-a-a-a-alcohol?
Will we miss it because we are so busy trying to win the lottery,
that treasured prize, or because
we are busy spending money we don’t have at the mall?
Will we miss it because, just because, just because, just because….
Will we miss it because we are getting our hair did, our nails done,
our weaves in, our makeovers while the takeovers are going on?
Will we miss it because we are so attuned to:
Flava Flav wanting a mate
Frankie and Neffie who can’t relate
Real and Chance watching women shake
Bridezillas eating wedding cake
Real Housewives being fake
The Kardashains who athletes rate
Ms. New York trying to get a date
Big Losers taking off weight
Or will we miss it because just because, just because, just because….
THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED!
Copyright © 2011 by Rolanda T. Pyle
Rolanda T. Pyle is the author of award-winning collection of poetry and prose, Finally. Find out more about Rolanda T. Pyle and her books and publications on her website, RoRo's Rainbow Communications.
Loving Gil Scott-Heron as I do, I'm delighted to have this poem from Rolanda this both references and updates his furious artistry. And indeed, we do have to ask ourselves, more than once, "Will we miss it?"