From Paul:
Politics, in any way, shape or form.
Poetry prompts created by the poets. If you want to be part of our group, just post a poem based on the prompt and comment on other people's poems.
Current rotation: Tad, Linda, Tasha, Vic...
THE WALL
ReplyDeleteWe know the wall of which I speak
He seeks to close us off from Mexico
Although the wall is costing billions
Child of liberty, did you vote
to spend your taxes on maxi walls
useless, impotent, balls that will rot
not accomplishing anything.
For the farm workers will make it over
in the backs of trucks like cattle, squeezed
together with feces and urine in their pants
on a 4 day chance to Washington State
where the farmers wait
with jobs Americans hate, farm labor.
And the Cartels will get the heroin into the U.S.
they don't even sneak, so meek, so sleek
right inside race car engine blocks, dogs
can't smell heroin. They've played the game
for years and years. They don't get caught
like they ought? Why not?
There's a 15 foot fence down there now,
Yes, they go over it from time to time.
With marijuana...How tall is this wall going to be?
If the border patrol's not there, they can climb anything.
They could build a bigger border patrol,
but the wall is a waste of money that could
be spent on the homeless and the hungry
I taste the bile of injustice here.
I love the internal rhyme in this. It would make an awesome slam piece!! There are some places I think you kind of go off into "lecture" and it could be more poetic, but overall, I like it a lot.
Deletea bit preachy more than poetry but as Victoria said would make a good slam piece.
DeleteHoney, I personally am sick of that wall. We don't need it. I think your poem is great but, of course, I a bit prejudiced. LOL
DeleteThis is still a work in progress. It is a "found poem." Although I did not march, my daughter did in DC, and several other people I know did in CT, CA, MA, GA and other states. I saw several posts from people who did not understand why they marched. I couldn't seem to convey the them the right to assemble even if I don't agree with someone's issues, like the March 4 Life and when Tea Partiers did it. So I went looking for actual reasons women marched and was so moved by the things they said that I collected some of them into a poem. I did change a few words here and there to meet the syllable count and tighten up some phrasing, but otherwise, these are the words of marchers. I am still playing with order.
ReplyDeleteWHY I MARCHED
Quotes from women who did
I marched to celebrate womanhood, because it’s
important to be part of things that are bigger
than yourself, to show up for all humanity.
I marched to stand up against the expectations
that society has for me, the box I am
put in because of the fact I am a woman.
I marched for the least of my brothers and sisters
because I live my life in union with God work
for the least of these. I marched for the asylum-
seeking family my sisters welcomed into their
convent so that they would have a home as they tried
to find some safety and welcome in a new land.
I marched because it’s worth the try. The time to act
is now. I marched for my sisters who couldn’t, marched
for my daughter's future. I marched because I can.
I marched because I believe in democracy,
because immigrants are welcome, because climate
change is real, because dissent is patriotic.
People deserve a world with access to healthcare;
where the water we drink is safe; where facts matter,
where we live by righteousness, live by compassion.
I marched for my nieces, for my grandma. I marched
because I am indebted to the women who
came before me. I marched because I have a voice.
I marched because men should not make laws about my
body. I’m not pro-abortion, but my body
is my domain. No one else should decide for me.
I marched because I studied history, don’t want
It to repeat itself, propaganda techniques
seen in history as dictators take power.
I marched so that Trump, his supporters and the world
would see the majority of Americans
do NOT support him or his hateful agenda.
I marched because Trump rates women on appearance,
insults women publicly. I will not allow
this to be normalized into our society.
I marched to save United States democracy.
I marched for women I love, for women I will
love, for women I know, for women I don’t know.
I marched to show support for immigrants, muslims,
minorities who have the most to fear. I see
years of marches until we make things right again.
I marched because the future is ours to make, full
of hope. We need to stand up for justice and life.
In other words: we have got to keep on marching.
I have been reignited to raise my voice, take
action, get involved. We need to be louder, drown
out the hatred of that vocal minority.
We will march, we will organize, we will protest,
we’ll do what we can to fight the gross oppression
that America has harbored for way too long.
We are the tiny voice in Whoville. Together,
we'll be heard. Only together will we be heard.
My idea of making America great.
much better than the original I saw earlier online. that one was a mess of run on sentences that tangled around each other. so confusing i couldn't read it. you dd a great job fixing it and making it make sense.
DeleteUh oh. I'd better check that one. This one was first and I copied and pasted it to my note. It looked fine to me. I'll look at it on my phone and see if it shows messed up there.
DeleteNope. it shows line breaks on my phone too. I wonder what the difference is.
Deleteisn't this the one kenz had posted on her fb page that someone else had written....titled why i marched. that one was a esss. yours looks fine here.
DeleteAh, I published this as a "Note" also and thought you were referring to that.
DeleteVictoria, This is a terrific poem. We read it aloud and it flows nice and easy. It is very dramatic and realistic. I can tell you put a lot of work into it.
DeleteThis is a well written poem! Very emotional and vivid. Each tiny voice makes a large one and maybe women will be heard. Women were heard once. It's time for it to happen again.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I thought it worked.
DeleteThis is the perfect use for a found poem. You should post it on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteThanks, and I did. I was wary because it's called "Why I Marched" when I didn't march.
DeleteNot a new. I'm not good on political poems.
ReplyDeleteMARCH 2003
Past the paint chipped folding
chair with the oil
smeared T shirt
hung over the back
past the gouged rust speckled
wrought iron gate
round the dog
lying indifferent
in the boot rutted path
we come to a
half shut door
what's beyond it is
irrelevant except
for where shadows
overlap
dust and light plays tricks
then back along the path
the dog stretches
and follows
the fence gleams fresh paint
the shirt on the chair reads
give peace a chance
on the street
dust is kicking up
and dogs are dispersing
love the imagery
Deleteterrific peace piece!!!! I love the English language. The imagery plays tricks on the mind.
DeleteBeautiful imagery. Not directly political but that's what a poetic license is for.
DeleteNice one, loved the imagery.
DeleteTad, I enjoyed reading a nice peaceful peace poem. Thank you. I passed the out loud reading quite well.
DeleteI've looked at politics from both sides now
ReplyDeletefrom libs and pubs and still somehow
it's politics illusions I recall
I really don't know politics at all..
Sorry Joni Mitchell!
LOL. Love it. I know it's not a "serious" poem, but I actually have one suggestion. "political illusions"?
DeleteI love it and i'm sure Joni Mitchell wouldn't care. LOL. You did a good job of staying out of trouble. LMBO!!!
DeletePerfect!
DeleteAnd clever too. Good work.
Bonnie, This is short and sweet. I loved it!!!
DeletePolitics!
ReplyDeleteMakes me want to hide my head in the sand.
Politics!
Something I simply do not understand.
Politics!
Makes no sense what people fight about
Politics!
All they do is rant and prance about.
Why do we have such foolish behavior?
Who will emerge to be our savior?
Politics!
Take these fools and sweep them all away!
Let's have a new world and a brand new day!
With no more
Politics!
love it! so true at least for me! the older i get the less it all makes sense and all this fighting and protesting and hate and anger before we even know what is going to happen makes no sense at all.
DeleteTasha, very pleasant read, we read it aloud and it went very smoothly .
DeleteI get very impatient with al the stupidity and obfuscation! If I could I'd do away with all of it and let people set things to right themselves. However, that probably couldn't work either. because someone would start telling everyone else what to do and ruin it all. sorry for the rant! Cheers.
ReplyDeleteI think the topic invited ranting and I enjoyed yours.
DeleteHey Tasha, I like!!!! Good job!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for telling me so. I wanted to put something in, I totally washed out on the last one, so I'm happy if this one passes the muster.
DeletePolitics, are you in the cliques?
ReplyDeleteAre you right about that which you fight?
Do you take a stand
or are you just being bland?
Is the government being fair?
Do you know or do you care?
Do you have to fear for you life
if your opinion causes strife?
Who's right and who's wrong
can't we all just get along?
What difference do you make
and what's really at stake?
Are you aware of what's going on
or have your ethics dried up and gone?
What does it really take to have a democracy?
Do our leaders really listen to you or me?
All we can do is our very best
because the powers that be
will decide all the rest...
and yet one group thinks they are totally right and there are no in between or shades of gray or room for another party and opinion. very sad what we are seeing these days. good points!
DeletePaul, Nice poem!! You said everything that needed said. And more. I like the way you put it especially the last three lines.
DeleteYou really ought to find somewhere to read your poetry. You've really got some nice rhythm and a beat. I enjoyed the poem too.
Deletethank you guys so much. you humble me. I sometimes feel that I am out of my league here but, you guys make me feel that I belong and I really appreciate it. I try my best and that is all I can do. I'm happy if you enjoy my work.
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