Rivers of Blood and Paths of Gold
Empty Promises. The Stink of Privilege. Some thoughts. Poem? Content warning!
Rivers blood flow
paths of gold and empty promises
rich know, rich don't care
*
stink of priviledge
swollen calf, painted luxury
champagne-drenched lives
*
fall to the side, death
rich know, rich don't care
the haves care not
*
servitude of a lifespan
nothing earned, nothing gained
banquets of power and prestige
*
vipers snap
dragons scorch,
the earth, death
*
rich know, rich don't care
stench of priviledge
nests line the path and rivers
*
promises unfufilled
rich know, rich don't care
the haves care not
*
don't touch the gold (poisoned wealth)
offspring, sacrificed,
follow the pattern, death
*
rich know, rich don't care
children promised (the lies)
empty paths gold (painted yellow)
*
laden with misery and death
rich know, rich don't care
rivers lap the edge,
*
burnt gold and promises
rich know, rich don't care
unfulfillment for the have nots
*
prize of foolish followers
consumed, exhumed servants
*
rich know, rich don't care
don't feed vipers
young taught follow, not think
*
not question
rich know, rich don't care
young taught strive, no think
*
not thrive
rich know, rich don't care
young taught follow, no think
*
not individuality
rich know, rich don't care
young taught how to serve
*
promises are empty
rich know, rich don't care
don't touch gold, poisoned wealth
*
privilege brings opportunities
swollen bellies,
swollen pride
*
entitlement reinforced, entrenched
have nots
hopelessness enforced
*
paths gold empty,
promises unfulfilled
rich know, rich don't care
*
rivers blood waiting,
death assured
rich know, rich don't care
*
vipers and dragons, hungry
lay in wait, death assured
rich know, rich don't care
*
snapping, scorching
drenching, consuming
rich know, rich don't care
*
don't feed dragons
follow the lead
follow the path
*
don't think
give your all,
perhaps it will go your way
*
not that it matters,
not that...they...care
rich know, rich don't care
*
hopelessly fucked
drowned in rivers of blood
privilege breeds privilege
*
hopelessly fucked
caught in nests
privilege breeds indifference
*
hopelessly fucked
food of vipers and dragons
privilege breeds privilege
*
hopelessly, endlessly
fucked unfufilled promises
privilege breeds indifference
*
rich know, rich don't care
another drowning, another funeral pyre
another have not
*
another
minor
inconvenience
*
ruins their day
death
assured
no
wealth
burnt
and
drowned
*
Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: So, been away from Vocal a bit to balance things better. But, still active. And been writing. Got a few pieces ready to fire, but won't fire them out as I usually do...will give each a bit of time to sit nicely on here. Or not so nicely. This one was I was working on for a week. In fact, most of my newest poems are week-long works. Spent a bit more time than I normally would, because didn't have the option to immediately publish.
Also, completely screwed my "story every day of 2024" challenge attempt after two days lol...brilliant work.
Anyway, I'd apologise about the sombre tone of this piece, bit don't want to.
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Scottish-Italian poet/writer from Glasgow.
Overflowing in English language torture and word abuse.
"Every man has a sane spot somewhere" R.L Stevenson
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection is now available!
https://paulspoeticprints.etsy.com
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More stories from Paul Stewart and writers in Poets and other communities.
$#*£ Resilience
I was going to relax this evening. Tune out, hunker down, look after myself. I need it. I am exhausted. Thoroughly used up. And it's only Wednesday. Not even half way through the week. A week that in the UK, is Mental Health Awareness week. I don't know who decides these things, who gets to co-opt a day, a week, a month, and declare it a thing about a thing. But I do know a lot about mental health. I know a lot about mental health AND I know a lot about working for the UK's National Health Service. And so it was with interest that I clicked play on the below video, earlier today. By the time I finished, I was in tears.
By Hannah Moore2 days ago in Psyche
Comments (10)
Hey hey Paul! ..“stench of priviledge” 👏😕 Nice one! I honestly think posting a little less is a good thing, not because you are a hard man to keep up with or anything! But more so it will allow the pieces to breathe. I think (I know nothing) but then that might allow more reads and care for that piece! Versus sometimes some getting lost in newsfeed. Also check the dates everyone wakes up in the US lol..that’s a good time to post. 😁😆 I remember you posted about something similar last year about how much to post, so it turns out you are already working on your 2024 writing goals! 😁 Well done. Also it’s truly good to have a balance too. Respect! 😊👍 It can get pretty chaotic over here and we all tend to get this pressure to read as much as we can to support, just like others have supported us..but we can only do what we can do (as I always say) and sometimes that takes away a little from our own writing. About the other writing challenge ..it’s not a biggie just focus on what you want to write at the time. Two out of 366 ain’t bad! I am sure that is a popular phrase SOMEWHERE! ;0) I too, have not been on vocal much the last week or so.. but unlike you I have not been writing much at all.. does a few lines count ! 😆 I also received your book on my doorstep a couple of days ago! 😊👍 I have already read a bunch of random poems and a few I’d read before! Keep pressing like at the bottom of the page but nothing happens. Was glad to read a few that I’d not read before and enjoyed.. and am sure there are many more I’ve not read too, when I have had a flick through (that I will look forward to). Anyhow, good on your for being proactive and getting it done! 👏☺️📚
Very true. The biggest division is between the Rich and poor
Ah, glad to see you, I was concerned. I'd say I hope you're ok, but this poem suggests that's a complex answer.
Oh thank God you're back! I was contemplating on reaching out to Ruth to ask if you're okay but I didn't wanna be a bother. RICH KNOW BUT RICH DON'T CARE. That's like the ultimate truth and it's now repeating in my head like a mantra!
Not universally true, but enough so to make sure that this is the way the economy works overall, no matter the market theory under which it works. As for the rich who know but don't care, don't you dare apologize to them!
An angry little piece my friend, Some rich snob piss you off? Either way I liked this one.
The pacing of this. Feels like a whisper that has gone tired and the need to shout this out has come out.
I noticed you weren't about! Is that good or stalky? 😁
Don't apologize! I felt the raw, numb anger coursing through this poem as it spiraled to its conclusion and loved it. I felt like this was a litany or a chant, with its repetitive motion and swirling energy. Thanks for bringing me on a journey - even if it was a somber one. I look forward to the slow reveal of your hoard in the coming days, Paul. Happy New Year!
I wondered where you'd gone. This is a tirade. I like the repetition of lines over and over. It seems desperate, futile and yet, defiant too.