It Keeps Happening

Old song, “ Chimes Of Freedom,”
playing. I’m sleepy. I don’t want
such bells to wake me. I sit here
and pretend this is not happening. 

Someone laughs at what’s happening.
Someone else wrings their hands about it.
I’m annoyed by both, but I’ve been
too comfortable to move away. None of this

should be happening, not where I’m
trying to sleep. The music and the 
sneering and the earnest exhortations.
How dare they keep me awake? 

Old song, “Which Side Are You On?”
playing now.  I’m still sleepy,
annoyed, uncomfortable. 
Someone’s getting hurt if this continues.

The songs are old news, but still news.
This keeps happening, 
and even when people get hurt
people like me stay sleepy. 

Old song, “Rock-A-Bye Baby,”
playing now. I’m sleepy again,
even in my discomfort. I’d rather
not be awake but it keeps happening.