People Die, People Cry — That’s Entertainment!

Saturday morning in old El Paso 
(where it’s likely that you’ve never been),
between what they call “Cielo Vista Mall”
and some Walmart that you’ve never seen,

Some worthless young man that you’d never know,
killed some folks who were no one to you;
But distant sad news fills the idling mind,
With so many fun things to do!

“Guns are the villain,” shout those on the left,
“Don’t blame violent games!” scold the right —
The tribes swing their axes and beg for your cash,
obfuscating with all of their might.

But most of mankind, safe snug in their homes,
know the meaning of all “senseless” crime,
above all fake calls for fictional walls,
and fake dreams of peace in our time.

For there’s only one reason
such news is in season,
all of the blessed year round:
When unknown men die,
their neighbors will cry —
And oh, what a beautiful sound!

There’s nothing so charming, on your TV
(nothing so profitable too!), 
as the weeping of strangers, seen on the news,
and the joys of mock pity from you!

We moderns are sadists, addicted to pain,
but wishing to seem gentle dupes;
we dream and we pray, for the blood of the day,
and the cameras to bring us their scoops.

For there’s only one reason
such news is in season,
all of the blessed year round:
When unknown men die,
their neighbors will cry —
And oh, what a beautiful sound!