Reflections
Twilight lingers long upon the shores
where a tired man and woman tread—
their feet upon the worn and weary path,
yet only the silence is put to bed.

Soft and pale, the lake reflects the moon
as they whisper of their past life.
There, a lady of a better class
walked beside him as his wife.

She observes her fleeting past,
the mirror of distorting water.
Aphrodite’s gaze upon her shines,
every ripple hides age lines and laughter.

Here they talk of pains with worn-out hearts
that time and distance didn’t mend.
Yet in the mirror’s gaze, the old looks new,
a lady’s grace comes into view, nearer the end,

and though the night is old and tired,
they hold each other, and they weep,
theirs is a gentle love
as by the lake, they sleep.

The manipulation of public opinion through divisive tactics, distractions, and political schemes designed to obscure the truth became common post 2020. There must be a call for a rejection of deceit and division in favor of unity, resilience, and thoughtful discourse. 
Political actors exploited these divisions, using issues like race, class, and ideology to keep people fractured. The January 6th Capitol riot is a prime example of how division and deception manipulated the unrest. 
The 2020s have seen waves of protests, including social justice movements and responses to political mistrust such as the 2020 U.S. election and the January 6th Capitol riots. 
This time in history saw an increase in media-fueled influence and distractions, particularly through social media platforms. Disinformation campaigns surrounding topics like the Russian interference in the election, spread widely, as well as the withholding of information, often obscuring the truth. 
This was followed by the realization of empty promises offered by leaders and institutions, which furthered division and political mistrust. Many reflected on, what appeared to be a play book of techniques early on in the 2020 election process that radiated an original intent to manipulate and deceive. 

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were several instances of public frustration over promises not fulfilled—whether it was promises of quick solutions (like vaccines or economic relief) or the illusion of a swift return to normalcy. Many felt that leaders were offering promises without substantial action.

The Truth Underneath
To keep us fractured, weary, and confined,
Violent rallies make the innocent cry.
But violence yields no harvest—only dust,
And truth, like whispers, fades as time drifts by.

A calculated move, the politician’s scheme,
Where echoes of unrest obscure the light.
Now yet another distraction takes the stage,
A game of “divide and conquer,” fed by spite.

Distraction reigns beneath a thousand names,
Each moment twisted, meanings shift and sway,
Keeping us burning, blinded by the flame.
As new agendas rise, the truth’s betrayed.

Deceit may blur but never erase the core,
For every twist, the truth remains unshaken.
Though freedom’s path is rugged, raw, and torn,
Stand strong—reject the lies, don’t be mistaken.

Welcome thoughts that challenge, break the mold,
The wars we wage through words can heal our soul.
Division cannot change the course we need to hold,
So let us talk, let growth replace control.

The scars we carry teach us to unite,
For ignorance leads only to despair.
In common ground, we find our truest fight,
And unity will lead us toward repair.

Resist the voice that seeks to tear apart,
for freedom, flawed and messy as it seems,
Adds layers to the story, heart by heart,
and holds the light that leads us to our dreams.

Cups Of Illusion
Cups of illusion passed around,
where the joy of living can’t be found.
Jezebel laughs, her smile undone,
by the three in truth, not only one.

The tricksters dance in shadows deep,
While dreams they promised fall asleep.
We chase the light but in the end,
It’s only mirrors that can bend.