21st Century, a Shakespearean Monologue

The 21st Century: A Shakespearean Monologue

Hark, gentle folk, and lend thine ears,
To tales of this strange era, filled with fears.
A century of contradictions, where old meets new,
Where morals blur, and dreams turn askew.

In this realm of fleeting pleasures and desires,
where love's true essence is lost in pyres.
Where flesh is freely given, yet hearts remain cold,
And pockets filled with riches, stories yet untold.

A place where losing one's phone is a grave affair,
More feared than losing virtue, beyond compare.
Where smoking and drinking are badges of pride,
And those who abstain are often cast aside.

The bathroom, a stage for self-display,
Where filters and poses hold sway.
The church, a venue for social ascent,
Where faith takes a backseat, no longer heaven-sent.

Oh, the 21st century, a curious sight,
Where pregnancy's dread exceeds HIV's fright.
Where pizza arrives swifter than aid's embrace,
And fear of terror reigns, leaving God's grace.

Garments define one's worth, a twisted decree,
Wealth valued more than kinship's decree.
Children forsake parents for virtual love's call,
While families crumble, their bonds start to fall.

Dinner tables lie empty, devoid of laughter's chime,
As screens consume attention, stealing precious time.
Commitments are fleeting, vows made in jest,
Love's grand illusions, a social contest.

Public displays of affection, a charade so grand,
Likes and followers, the currency of this land.
Photos of exotic locales, happiness feigned,
Masking broken hearts, love's true essence waned.

The mind and soul neglected, their needs ignored,
While bodies are adorned, with ink deeply scored.
The sculpted physique, a coveted prize,
Surpassing knowledge, beneath blinded eyes.

Gym selfies applauded, with likes galore
While acts of kindness silently implore.
In this realm of illusions, where sanity's frail,
One must play the game, or surely fail.

Oh, 21st century, a curious maze,
Where reason's faint glimmer flickers in a haze.
Yet amidst the chaos, a flicker of hope,
That humanity's essence may rise to cope.

For within each heart, a spark still resides,
A yearning for truth, where love presides.
May we find our way back, from this gilded cage,
And embrace compassion, on life's grand stage.