Standing at a distance
Collecting measured, empty fiction.
Syndicated day-time faces
Spin the world into their favor.

(And there's dead air on the airwaves)

The news at six, a foolish fix
A comfort from the working shift
The vehicle to rubberneck
At the cars crashed miles away

We gawk, we tread,
We count the number dead.
Commercials for the coming war
Watch the ratings soar

This is what I strain to see
Standing at a distance.