Pied Pipers
There’s an unpleasant legend that is of German origin,
One about a Pied Piper who lived in the town of Hamelin.
To cut to the chase: He lured children away via his music,
Just like some folk do today via charismatic rhetoric.
But having said that though, music still leads many folk astray,
Music that’s not uplifting, but groaning with moral decay.
Yes, music that’s beat ridden, self or sex obsessed, and empty,
And which is negatively affecting each society.
This music moving and shaping the masses is concerning,
And more so, given it’s doing so, without most realizing.
But concerning too — is rhetoric — that’s just as flawed and ill,
That likewise has been busy casting an insidious spell.
Yes, it amazes me how many hang on the words of men,
And as a result, get led astray, and time and time again.
How adults as well as children follow others just like sheep,
Whose attractive, but errant path, soon gives one much cause to weep.
Pied Pipers could be religious leaders or politicians,
In fact, any who are holding authoritative positions.
Or those, (and including groups), who have the influence to steer;
Which many people put their trust in, or foolishly revere.
Some people follow Pied Pipers who have delusional dreams,
Or put their trust in a Piper who isn’t as he or she seems.
Followers of Pied Pipers can make up a minority,
But here, and usually, we’re talking a majority.
It’s what I call the Pied Piper syndrome — and a real worry,
One that can intimidate, even harm the minority.
For such sneers at opposing views, individuality,
And is a kind of cloning process that seeks conformity.
Followers of Pipers bow to the Piper’s melody,
And thereby, effectively sell their soul, eventually.
For they soon become silent, lest seen to be out of step, and,
Regarding certain wrongs, cover their ears, and don’t make a stand.
Silence is by far the crime of the majority — who share
The guilt of those Pipers — who captivate, mislead and ensnare.
For they get in behind, go with the flow, and wrongly invest,
Instead of standing out, speaking up, and doing what is best.
Yes, there once was a Pied Piper of Hamelin (allegedly),
Who lured young children away via a spell-binding melody.
And so too, do those modern Pipers, who also cast a spell,
That doesn’t just lure children, but those unwise adults as well.
Pied Pipers exist because of sheep — those followers of men,
Who, sadly so, history just repeat, time and time again.
For though folk should know better, they repeat the same old mistake,
That being, trusting in others — who — often the right paths forsake.
But Pied Pipers can be anything that leads people astray;
Whatever isn’t best, isn’t right, whatever doesn’t pay.
Be it money, lust, appetite, or simply those errant men
Who mislead via their rhetoric, be that from their mouth or pen.
By Lance Landall
Mind That Herd
Along with any troublesome and lawless renegade individual, and likewise minority,
Is another disturbing thing, and equally as injurious, and that is, the herd mentality.
For not only can herds go in directions that love and wisdom wouldn’t go, but they can turn on the few,
That is, those they perceive as a threat, even when they aren’t one, or who simply a different path pursue.
Yes, people who may even be more sound, and on the right path, but not in the eyes of the majority,
Who, out of fear and ignorance, succumb to some herd instinct, and thus turn on that small minority.
Yes, trapped in their blindness or hysteria, they lash out at those who have every right to chose their own course;
Those who soon find that their rights are trampled on, having been subjected to ridicule and pressure, and then force.
Hence why ones being on the side of the majority is sometimes to ones shame, and the result of folly,
And so oft just a self preserving exercise that’s tied in with selfishness, and also the cowardly.
For it doesn’t take any strength to go with the flow, and often as little intelligence as well,
Given that majorities are largely made up of those who their soul and conscience seem prepared to sell.
Far too often minorities are maligned and stigmatized unfairly, and in fact, very wrongly so,
And worthy individuals as well, who refuse to fall into line with some erring and fickle flow.
Hence why we have good reason to pause and reflect when we find ourselves on the side of the majority,
For chances are we’ve chosen wrongly — and given history — such is more than just a probability.
By Lance Landall
