Rather later, but at the right time in my life, I discovered Bukowski...

"Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains. Here's one who thinks he is the master of others, yet he is more enslaved than they are."  (Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract)

”I was born blown minded”

”How did I get to here? / A random chain of events / Or chemical and elements /Conspiring, divining

”From the star I’ve been pulled apart / By weightless love / And the heavy hearts / Of sadness

”Oh, I was born blown minded / With an eye on oblivion / oh, I was born blown minded /With an eye on oblivion

”In my heart I have lived without aught / It’s been the war of attrition/ Between a small-minded fool / And sublime intuition

”I believe there’s a meteor out there / With my name on it / Hurtling through space /And nothing can stop it

”Oh, I was born blown minded / With an eye on oblivion / Oh, I was born blown minded /With an eye on oblivion

(http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858859773/)

Love Poem to No One in Particular
By Mark O'Brien

Let me touch you with my words
For my hands lie limp as empty gloves
Let my words stroke your hair
Slide down your back
And tickle your belly
For my hands, light and free flying as bricks
Ignore my wishes and stubbornly refuse 
To carry out my quietest desires
Let my words enter your mind
Bearing torches

Admit them willingly into your being

So they may caress you gently

Within

************

The Real Enemy

"Letʼs just talk about fear. Fear, after all, is our real enemy. Fear is taking over our world. Fear is being used as a tool of manipulation in our society. Itʼs how politicians peddle policy and how Madison Avenue sells us things that we donʼt need. Think about it. Fear that weʼre going to be attacked, fear that there are communists lurking around every corner, fear that some little Caribbean country that doesnʼt believe in our way of life poses a threat to us. Fear that black culture may take over the world. Fear of Elvis Presleyʼs hips. Well, maybe that one is a real fear. Fear that our bad breath might ruin our friendships... Fear of growing old and being alone.
Fear that weʼre useless and that no one cares what we have to say."
(A Single Man, d: Tom Ford)

No Clash of Civilizations...

...but Civilization and Barbarism clashing together (and into each other):

The Fanatic in Us

"[...] Fanaticism is almost everywhere, and its quieter, more civilized forms are present all around us and perhaps inside of us as well. [...] I’m not saying, of course, that anyone who raises his or her voice against anything is a fanatic. I’m certainly not suggesting that anyone who has a strong opinion is a fanatic. I’m saying that the seed of fanaticism always lies in uncompromising self-righteousness, the plague of many centuries." (Amos Oz)

Read more: http://www.utne.com/politics/how-to-cure-a-fanatic-amos-oz.aspx#ixzz3AdcuDZ1Y