I am
disturbed
I am disturbed by the post modern verbiage that says that
there is no such thing as originality.
I am disturbed by the death of downtown, New York City.
I am disturbed by inanimate thrill seekers who sit
mesmerized, striking at inane keyboards, searching for
their computer fix.
I am disturbed by young hipster bohemians at the @ café who
sneer at the homeless while sipping their lattés.
I am disturbed by institutions, which would seek to contain
my seething emotions.
I am disturbed by the “be yourself” attitude that is
pummeling anyone of difference in a thinly veiled
conformist culture.
I am disturbed that I just can’t take it anymore.
I am disturbed by brother death as he waits endlessly to
ensnare his sister, life.
I am disturbed.
I am disturbed by the pusillanimous venom spewed by mongers
of hate at those who love for love’s sake, who procreate
the variegated colors of ideas unspoken.
I am disturbed.
I am disturbed by the gutting of the Bowery, by the
impending demise of the only nightclub downtown ever
visited by a head of state, Vaclav Havel, our own CBGBs.
I am, disturbed by the “cult of personality” who’s denial
forbids that which makes us human.
I am disturbed by the soundtrack of metadata that sears the
consciousness of millions whose sleep is disturbed by
infinite looping neurotic dreams of falling unconscious.
I am disturbed by the quiet calculus of sprawling suburbs
which penetrate the darkest nightmare interiors of the
inner cities.
I am disturbed.
I am disturbed that I am disturbed.
I am disturbed that heroism has been made impotent by those
who wish to negate the longings of the individual.
I am disturbed that desire itself has been sucked into the
subterfuge of electronic impulses that mediate reality.
I am disturbed.
- James Cornwell 6/21/2005 , NYC