Enlightened Coercion

Where do we start?

How many cycles of civilization?

We feign knowledge.

Perhaps some possess it, but conceal its truth.

Once free beings of the cosmos,

we are now victims of a spiritual coup d'etat

masquerading as a new cycle of civilization.

The dictator proclaims the good news,

The dictator enlightens the herd to his creation of all things

and provides a manual, a handbook to be followed.

To enforce the word, twelve soldiers are deputized: a special force.

Our existence now strictly defined by order

not only in instruction, but of class;  

the epitome of hierarchy and control.
We eternally seek dominion over others.

Perhaps because the dictator seeks dominion over us,

orders permeate every facet of our existence.

We spend a lifetime providing interpretations of instruction 

for the purpose of recreating control.

It is propaganda for the soul,

we are fools to the power of suggestion.
  

What if the dictator's decree is fraudulent? 

What if there are insurgents? 

A trinity exists: Two factions at odds attesting 

to the veracity of their own standing,

fighting over the minds of the meek. 

Seeking supremacy for an interpretative point of view; 

These insurgents choose not to follow the prescription, 

They reject the treaty of dominion,
They reject enlightenment as coercion.
Now targets for punishment, incarceration and banishment.

Abu Ghraib for the coalition of the unwilling, 

tormented and interrogated by special operators and sectarians.

This coalition now collectively alone,

longing for a flock of desert eagles offering freedom.

An offer of light, but still in the end,
it is only on the dictator's terms. 

Thus, a loving gaze into the dark abyss of destiny,  

an existence nihilistic and meaningless,
but a confidence in the inevitability of a new cycle of civilization.

Perhaps in detention, they are truly free.