LOST GENERATION

"Think about how stupid the world is and then realize that half of them are stupider then that!" - George Carlin

 

 

Mystified and abandoned
They tip over the edge
Baffled over what’s known
Misspent words fritter in their heads

 

Helpless and hopeless
Preoccupied with unoccupied dreams
They are the licentious unchaste dead
Living off societies wanton means

 

This generation of the dissolute
Empowers heroes built on lies
As blood falls from the innocent
They are rapt up in their alibis

 

Hope is a fleeting commodity
Faith an ephemeral glimpse
They care little about their conscience
Or the value of common sense

 

For they are a bewildered generation
Set adrift on angry seas
Tossing and turning in a maelstrom
That never puts their minds at ease

 

Depraved wanton strays
Damned by distracted pride
Living for licentious debauchery
Waiting for Heaven and Earth to collide

 

© 2013 Eddie Phillips

Reviews

[Azriel]

excellent piece eddie, loved the diverse set of image used in this as well as the language. i think you captured really well the state of our generation and even a little more. this has a great message and there's a lot of truth to it. overall a great poem.

[Eddie Phillips]

Thank you Azriel. I am sorry I just saw your review because I love your poems (as you know). This is one of those poems that was designed to make the reader think and reflect on our current situation. I am happy you connected with this poem and left such a supportive review.

[Baby Ricochet]

I know that generation. They're all over the place around here. They all need to do some military service. That'll straighten most of them out. It worked on me and I'm sure it worked on you too

[KaylasPoetryBook]

Hmm...interesting piece. I think that people often toss around the "new generation" thing with such negativity without considering who raised that new generation. I feel like instead of approaching the differences in the new age so negatively and shunning it, people should do more to understand it. I don't think they're "helpless and hopeless". (Everyone has a story behind their behavior and actions, even the new generation, even Tyler the Creator as wild as he is lol.) The youth should be nurtured better and given more guidance. This is just my opinion though, and I'll never be closed-minded to anyone elses opinion. I love seeing all the different POV's. Overall, a really nice thought-provoking piece. Always good insight and opinion in your writing. Great write and always well put together. (:

[Eddie Phillips]

I hear you. As I look out over the things that are happening in this world I grow more and more sad. We are living in a time where babies being murdered, black teens shot in the street, and bold theft and misogyny are all acceptable/ignored behavior. People are lost. We can blame it on upbringing or the culture but in the end its a issue of personal responsibility. As writers we have to use our gift to turn the mirror on the evil. Only by seeing the wrong can people fix it. I used Tyler because the picture fit. I could have used many other images that would have supported the poem. In the end though its a poem about those in every generation that are happy to wait until the world burns. Thank you for reading this poem and posting such a well thought out and truthful review. That is the purpose of a poem like this.

[KaylasPoetryBook]

Yes, so many horrific things going on in this world of ours. :/ And being that it is this world of OURS, you're so right about personal responsibility! Thank you even more for sharing this. You have done a wonderful job (in many of your writes this one included) turning the mirror on the worlds evils. So awesome hearing your thoughts once again. Keep writing (:

[Rita L. Sev]

I see a decline every year in my students... yet, some things don't change. I hold onto that tiny spark that I still see, and hope it will be enough...

[Eddie Phillips]

I agree, no person is beyond hope. This poem is just a poetic illustration of the lost mentality of the generation. There are those who never give up but there are also those who don't care. I suspect they exist in every generation. It has become a real threat given our global economy, unprecedented technology, and a pervasive culture of easy to get weapons. If we don't talk about the problem it will never be solved. Thanks for taking the time to read this poem. It is one that stirs conversation.

[Rosaria_V]

It's so true, the new generation feels so different from the last from the way we speak to the way we dress. It's interesting to see the contrasts. But it's our job to help guide their way

[Eddie Phillips]

I agree, I have faith that we can always find the light at the edge of darkness. There are people like this in every generation. The trick is to face the problem and write about the issues. If you ignore them they will not go away. We have to hold that mirror to the problem. It gives a lost soul something to reflect on. It shows them what they are losing. Thank you for reading this poem. This one was written to make people look around and I am happy that you connected.

[Laminators Dubai]

dont worry eddie...its just my thinker soul...that do-er girl she's awesome...know its way...can control her self...and never hurt someone...
even not in dreams...
thanks eddie for show me right path...you are one special guy...
*_*
^^

[Eddie Phillips]

Thank you for reading. This poem just illustrates the problems of today. Only by looking at them can we ever try to solve them. Thanks for reading glitch

[Laminators Dubai]

its fine....you worth reading...and i worth a watcher...ha ha ha...
love ya! ^^

[redflutterby]

Powerful truth!!! I've watched it going on for years. The change in my children's generation just shocks me. Gone is the desire to better ones self through hard work and education. Now its just getting what you want the easiest way you can. Few seem to respect themselves any more. Very sad...

[Eddie Phillips]

I agree but we must also try to point this out to those who are lost. I wrote this so that people in that generation can ask themselves if there is truth in the words. It should work like a mirror. I also wanted those who raised these individuals to read it and ask what they had done wrong. If we spoil and ignore our children we are setting them up for failure. This poem has caused a lot of discussion and I am happy about that. Thanks for reading. I apologize for the late comment. I am trying to get better about answering reviews...lol Forgive my lateness.

[Constance Payne]

"This generation of the dissolute
Empowers heroes built on lies"

As I have children of this generation and three out of the four of them worship false heroes........This hits quite close to home. Very nice.

[Eddie Phillips]

Thank you for reading. This poem is designed to make us all look at the world around us. I am happy you enjoyed it and connected with the point it was trying to make.