Jeremiad

by Mark Blaeuer

The pessimists are prophets in disguise,
tut-tutting at society’s decay.
The optimists are Pollyanna-wise,
intent on manufacturing surprise:
a novel climate opens every day.
The pessimists are prophets in disguise,
and I’m one, confident that if the skies
are staying up, it doesn’t follow (a)
that optimists are Pollyanna-wise
or (b) that humans won’t earn their demise
in yet another horrifying way.
The pessimists are prophets in disguise,
alright: we stand for reason. I advise
a ton of resignation also. Pray,
you optimists, you Pollyanna-wise,
to Mammon’s oil. His anthracitic eyes
are gimleting your final Chevrolet.