Did You Ever Think About the World Under the Bed?

Summary

The provided text is a reflective poem and commentary about the hidden battles and unnoticed conflicts, symbolized by the war among dust bunnies and mites under a bed, paralleling the broader context of unacknowledged wars in the world.

Abstract

The web content presents a poetic narrative titled "Did You Ever Think About the World Under the Bed?" which metaphorically explores the concept of unseen conflicts. The poem describes a war waged by dust bunnies and mites beneath a bed, disrupted only when the bed collapses, ending their battle. This microcosmic war serves as an allegory for the numerous ongoing armed conflicts around the world that often go unnoticed by the general public. The author reflects on the unexpected collapse of their bed on April 19, 1999, which initially inspired the poem. It was later revised to acknowledge the global state of war, specifically referencing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the multiple wars that persist in the modern era. The poem concludes with a reminder that war is pervasive and often overlooked, and the content ends with a call to peace through a YouTube link to Bob Marley's song "Get Up, Stand Up" and a dedication to individuals who may wish to join the author's metaphorical "Peace Train."

Opinions

The author suggests that everyday life can mask significant conflicts, much like the battles under the bed go unnoticed until a dramatic event occurs.
There is an underlying criticism of society's inaction and lack of attention to ongoing wars, which are only truly acknowledged when they escalate or when the circumstances around them drastically change.
The author implies that peace and conflict coexist in delicate balance, with the potential for war to erupt in unseen spaces, symbolized by the area under the bed.
The poem and commentary convey a sense of urgency for a broader recognition of the multitude of armed conflicts happening concurrently across the globe.
The inclusion of a Bob Marley song and the invitation to specific individuals to join the "Peace Train" indicates the author's commitment to advocating for peace and encouraging others to do the same.

A war rages underneath

Among the dust bunnies and mites a world of war wages under the bed

Embroiled in a bitter battle with each footstep across the floor bunnies and mites swirl in frenzied fashion under the bed

Two slats fallen waiting for the last board to drop crash…to the floor the bed falls eliminating the actual existence of under the bed

Smashed are the dust bunnies exterminated are the mites who waged war beneath their timbered sky, under the bed

A broom could have moved the battleground to the dust bin A vacuum would have plunged the warriors into darkness Instead inaction and fallen timbers ended the war under the bed

at least for now

Another in the series A Poem is Never Done

written April 19, 1999 revised March 6, 2022

The poem was no more than a reaction to the mattress and boxspring crashing to the floor because slats on the antique bed frame shifted on this day, April 19, 1999. And yes, I was in the bed when this happened.

But given the state of the world when it comes to war, I had to rethink the piece a bit.

We are collectively focused on the Ukraine and Putin’s absurd decision to wage war. But as the poem indicates, war is everywhere we aren’t paying attention. According to a variety of sources there are between 10–21 armed conflicts that classify as “war” raging today.

Here is what Wikipedia has to say (grain of salt-you know ’cause, well Wikipedia)

A little Bob Marley