American Doomsday: Political Ragnarok
Written by: Joshua Carreon
American Doomsday
Beware the Midgard serpent
Beware its venomous spit
Beware that which erodes constitutional edict
Beware the wolf Fenrir
Beware its tooth and sneer
Beware that which spreads fear
Beware the demon Surtr
Beware its fires and cinder
Beware the smoldering fissures which break and rupture
Beware the Trickster Loki
Beware his tricks and lies
Beware his disciples which seek our demise
We must band together, like the gods of old
We must, for our children, be bold
We must, for our republics’ values, hold
I believe that the tensions that permeate our modern society are palpable that and a great discord has taken root. The sowing of said discord I personally blame upon a particular faction of radical leftists known as Antifa. However, Antifa seems to see itself as a preserver of life, viewing our society as corrupted barren soil which must be dug up and re-sown with the seeds of change. It seems that Antifa sees the world as controlled by oligarchical capitalism, a glutinous weed which can only be torn from this earth by the sickle of revolution. After which, I see Antifa wielding the iron hammer of “the oppressed” to rebuild the world in line with their own philosophy of anarchist-socialism. Yet, should their efforts bear fruit, I believe we would be damned. This is something Antifa is apparently unaware of, either by willful ignorance or simple arrogance. So, Antifa continues to carelessly spread the same seeds of socialism which once threatened to overtake the globe. I theorize that to Antifa these seeds will blossom into what they see as a lost eden, though to me, and many others, this bloom will birth an ever-looming hell.
It is this, what I argue to be, foolishly sought apocalyptic rejuvenation, the same as Mao's cultural revolution, which reminds me of the Norse doomsday myth of Ragnarok. In this myth Valhalla (heaven) and its accompanying realms are destroyed due to the actions of the trickster god Loki. Because of Loki, the Midgard serpent who held the world together broke free and killed Thor in its death throes. Simultaneously, the wolf Fenrir killed the God-King Odin, thus fulfilling the fate Odin foresaw. Finally, the fire giant/demon, Surtr, burned the heavens with his fury. Though surviving gods did manage to rejuvenate the ashes of doomsday creating a new age of gods, the cost was utter destruction.
There are specific similarities which I draw between our age and the twilight of the gods. The first part of my poem speaks of the Midgard serpent and its venom which I see as symbolic of the legislative actions of the radical left. It is these actions which I view as eroding the constitution which, like the serpent, holds our nation together. The second part of my poem references Fenrir, the wolf whose coming helped confirm to Odin that the doomsday was upon them, thus confirming his fear. Fenrir’s howl symbolizes the alt- left's fear-mongering, rioting, and protesting which foreshadows the threat of socialist revolution. The third section addresses what I see as the rage and upset displayed by the alt-left, which I liken to Sutr and his fire, that threatens to similarly rupture our society. The fourth part talks of Loki who symbolizes Karl Marx, whose own lie of socialism tricked and doomed Russia, China, and countless others; Lies which, I would argue, threaten us as well should we allow ourselves to be tricked by Marx/Loki’s disciples. I conclude the poem by invoking the defiance of the Norse gods to inspire others to stand for our republic’s future and values.
Josh's poem, and his explanation, shed some light on what he views as a pretty big threat to our American principles. Do you see the connection between the current social-political climate and the Norse tale of Ragnarok to be warranted, or do you see that connection as a silly exaggeration? Maybe you see it as something in between? Either way, share your thoughts, whether you agree or disagree!
