cult classic

they are singing in unison

faculty and staff squeezed into ill fitting polyblend dresses
eyes scanning the crowd for dissension
praise for peace
mouthing words like incantations
watch
on the clock

parents cranking their heads to witness the spectacle
of hundreds of students singing
craning to record the miracle on smartphones
just beside themselves
at this display of dedication
this display of faith
so civilized
this is the hope and the proof and the miracle!
their babies might remain naive forever!

"and i'll abandon happily the earth/ surrender all i am in this rebirth/ you lead the way and i will follow"

listen.
if these happy chanters actually mean what they are singing,
we are one poison koolaid pitcher away from a mass suicide
another exodus
a cult classic

amazing what we'll do for a little sense of approval.
amazing what we'll believe for a sense of purpose.

there was a time when i thought of religious martyrdom as a high privilege. swear to god, i was ENVIOUS of all the real and imaginary saints who marched their way to glorious suicide
in the name of the father
who let them die.
the unknown god who nodded in all-powerful approval
when they refused to utter words that might save their life
when they trumped reason with indoctrinated subservience.
when they were scanning that crowd for approval so intently that they stopped listening to the words they were singing.
praise for peace and pretty school pictures.

let us discuss the value of life and tell me when it is and is not permissible to walk into death willingly.