Before this dismal outcome came to be

the future seemed to beckon from afar:

a place bereft of scarcity and war;

a polished jewel of bright uncertainty.

In old-time bookshops (now but memories)

the science fiction covers let us dream

of silver cities, interstellar scenes

and giant spacecraft hung in distant skies.

But none of these is ours. What came to pass

stands far beneath the basest of our schemes.

Crazed narcissists in seats of might, alas;

forever wars and random, senseless crimes.

Raw discontent. A youth enchained to memes.

Who stole our future: cursed us to these times?