social commentary

There's a rich history of poetry serving as social commentary, intended to inspire calls to action.

Small Axe
Introduction This is one of my favourite Bob Marley songs, though I think I only discovered it this millennium. The title was also used for a BBC series.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred about a month ago in Poets
On An Unfriendly Friend
He sat there, obese and brazen, Enjoying life beside yet another girl – Younger than his wife, as always; he loves them all, Surrounded in his old age by a veritable harem. He never listened to what I tried to tell him, If he was even around at all; Most of the time he avoided me, As if I were a leper, infecting him with my disease. I suppose being human requires courage – He lost it, and thank heavens for that. No one knows what he’s really thinking; He was neck-deep in lies. Whenever I tried to broach the things that mattered, My voice was stifled, just like the sound coming from within him; The truth was unpleasant to his narcissistic ears. He learned that from the mother he criticized so often, And now, after all these years, he is her spitting image – He’s even admitted it himself a few times. But it makes no difference to me; If I’m the victim and have to pay the price For wanting a friend, then to hell with it.
By Sun Beeabout a month ago in Poets
On Repeat
Relentless aching terrorizes me, persistent, chronic, unabated pain; apprentice sedulous to lying thieves, addictive tonics foaming at the bay.
By Sara Wynnabout a month ago in Poets
Delugional
Rain pissing down on everything, clouds obscuring sun, at least the shadow of the guard rail can’t distort the lane in the soup.
By Harper Lewis about a month ago in Poets
Working Class
Introduction A hammer-blow song from John Lennon. We need to stand up to those who put us down. Working Class 🕒 ⚒️ 🕒 ⚒️ 🕒 ⚒️ 🕒 Show Them You're Clever Come On, Bring Down Those That Rule Working Class, No Fools 🕒 ⚒️ 🕒 ⚒️ 🕒 ⚒️ 🕒
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred about a month ago in Poets
Trouble (With A Capital T)
Introduction When I first bought The Book of Invasions by Horslips, it never left my deck for two weeks. This song is perfect for describing our situation.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred about a month ago in Poets
Ent
We are the world’s record keepers We are the keepers of the knowledge In our rings The world lives forever Split us open and read the story of the world
By Atomic Historianabout a month ago in Poets
Killer wasps from the farmer’s barn
Killer wasps from the farmer’s barn There was something wrong at the farmer’s barn, the cows wouldn’t go inside, the horses kicked at the wooden doors, then turned and tried to hide. The farmer said it was probably rats, his wife said leave them be, but something buzzed in the rafters, and it didn’t sound friendly to me.
By ♿ V+ Marie381Uk about a month ago in Poets
The Chair Across From Me
The house keeps the shape of whoever left. I do not say the name. I let the first note do that work. A kick. A snare.
By Overdrive Recordsabout a month ago in Poets
Spring Into …
………..……🐦‍🔥🐲💐💐. In Life We Shall Grow 👶🏻🧑🏻👨🏼‍🦳………………… 🌜🌗🌘🌑🌗 🌛 …..Until Autumn’s Dim Twilight ……🌜🌘🌗🌑🌘🌘🌛
By Andrew C McDonaldabout a month ago in Poets
Humulus Lupulus
The purple poppy drinks the sunlight in quite like her counterpart the pretty hop; we all begin to feel alright again, perennials ascending vacant lots.
By Sara Wynnabout a month ago in Poets
The Storm Will Not Last
The fierce storm of the day will pass And its hold on you will break like glass. * All the fears Will go away with the tears.
By Dean Traylorabout a month ago in Poets