From the Anthology
Pandemic Reflections: Five Years Later
The poem, As the Band Plays On, was written in 2021 as the world was gripped by pandemonium. Information, misinformation, and disinformation created confusion and chaos ensued. Fear became the basis for existence, as Belgian psychology professor Mattias Desmet theorized on the phenomenon of mass formation, a literal state of hypnosis affected millions.
Physical distance put depression in the driver’s seat, expediting transition for some, while others had the heat turned up on lonely existence on a planet quieted simultaneously by government order and cosmic design. Mother Nature gave the earth a pause to breathe, concurrent with the proliferaton of 5G cell phone towers across this country. Timing is everything.
Data now moves faster. Life moves faster. Zooming is meeting, sometimes multiple times a day. With all of this comes an expectation of productivity, all while machines increase encroachment on human labor, stores close and businesses cease. In the aftermath of what seems like a science experiment gone wrong, truths considered to have been conspiracy theories turned out not to be conspiracies after all, yet the original narrative persists. Meanwhile, a state of normalcy lingers, though folks were feeling things would never be the same.
The stadiums rock with the feet of athletes, entertainers and patrons who were liberated to congregation again. Grandmothers gradually let go of the apprehension of giving or receiving hugs because of the threat of extinction. Grocery stores are teeming with gleefully returns to the aisles for a real cart instead of the Amazon cart.
The conjunction of the planet of expansion with one the planet of structure was the impetus for a restructuring that undergirds the distraction of the masses who look away as the assets flow in the other direction. The winds of change are blowing swiftly, with urgency and the appearance that the clock is being turned backwards. Erasure of history is a measure being taken up by some who would rather forget dreadful aspects of a past that begs to be exposed for the sake of accuracy and clarity for all.
Class struggle overshadows the question of race. Poverty does not discriminate, engulfing those who lack what those who have willingly deprive in the interests of more profits. One would think there’s no hope. but the veil is lifting. The curtains are being pulled back to reveal the culprits behind them. The Great Reset is being followed by the Great Awakening. Outside of the media manipulation to depict the contrary, people are coming together to push for a tomorrow that sees less tyranny and more compassion, more peace, more justice.
Art and love are the answers. May they win in the dawning of the Age of Aquarius.
Vince Robinson is a multi-disciplinary artist from Cleveland, Ohio, USA. His career path took him through stints as a radio news reporter, television and radio producer/host, voiceover artist, entertainment journalist, bandleader and photographer. He currently is the Executive Producer and host of Open Door, a television show at Community Focus Television in Macedonia, Ohio and radio shows on AM1490 - WERE and 95.9 FM - WOVU. He began hosting poetry events in 1997. Was a member of the Cleveland Poetry Slam team in 2003 and 2004. His book of poetry Got Words? was published in 2015.
