Poem: Over/Under
'Tis the betting season. Here's a wager. How long will we last? Where do you set the line? What's your bet?
Over/Under
‘Tis the season to be putting money on the line.
Here’s a bet. What’s the Over/Under on the USA?
We can let Vegas set the line. What do you think?
How many years will it last, this fledgling country,
this kindling federal republic, this flaming arrow of
freedom, this flammable house of cards and cads?
How long will we stand? What’s the Over/Under for
America? 200 years more? 500? 50? What’s your bet?
The Roman Empire lasted 1,000 years (counting the
Byzantine era). We’re a quarter that old. A teenager.
In Morocco once, we visited the ruins of Volubilis,
a Roman-Berber village on the edge of the empire.
The town’s stone arch gateway still stood, as did the
solemn columns flanking the main road. One wonders,
what were its last days like? Did its society crumble?
Did they run out of energy? Out of water? Did they
finally just throw in the toga? Some day, tourists may
visit the ruins of Vegas and wonder the same thing.
Tom- I've always wanted to visit this: "In Morocco once, we visited the ruins of Volubilis, a Roman-Berber village on the edge of the empire." To me ruins of an ancient civilization tells me a lot about what they value and what they don't. The practice of safekeeping and memento isn't really valuable unless it's done in such a way that it'll last even ourselves, in my opinion. And when it does surpass the life of the humans--it means that it's done exactly what it's meant to do: perpetuate the very humans it used to (and will continue to) gives voice to.
USA is the best country and structure in world for humanity and liberty. No ifs, ands, butts about it.......unfortunately, I only give us a few more years, so let's say an over/under of March 17, 2057.
Mark your calendars!