social commentary
There's a rich history of poetry serving as social commentary, intended to inspire calls to action.
Well Conditioned
Some analogies hold every time They are usually taken from sports. They have meaning transcending reality And apply to deals of all sorts! Take our bodies; they need exercising To allow them to exercise more. And the more we exert them, the better: They can train without being sore! When you see such a marvellous body, "Oh, it's so well conditioned!" — You'll cry. Something similar went for your hair: When your scalp would smear it with oil You'd go around — a halo of greasiness: So disgusting you'd want to recoil! Now, with products, you can dry it out Wash away that yucky oily flare Then you rinse and repeat, and repeat, and repeat... So much care for your hair, shiny hair! When you see such resplendent cool mane, "Oh, it's so well conditioned!" — You'll cry. What'd you say about all of the heatwaves? "Get AC!" We all suddenly freak. Otherwise we'd just waste electricity, And from nowhere the gases would leak! It could slow global warming right down, Then ACs would become something rare. And while everyone else had enjoyed them, You'd be stuck with your dumb earthy air! When you breathe such immaculate ether, "Oh, it's so well conditioned!" — You'll cry. Then there is an astounding good reason For which things are the way they are It explains why I am how I am And you are just the way that you are. Some things happen for such a good reason And that reason is making us say, "Do not question our soundest traditions Things are meant to be just this way" When you encounter such powerful logic, "Oh, it's so well conditioned!" — You'll cry. Have you ever "just hoped" for the best? It's annoying and rightfully mean! 'Cause there's no one to give you perfection: Disappointment already foreseen! It's much smarter to think of the worst And avoid receiving insults. To make sure that your prospects are met, You only need to skew the results! When you meet such a realist heart, "Oh, it's so well conditioned!" — You'll cry. For our kids we have one demand, that nobody exploits them in life. So we need to give them tough love And impart our lessons with strife! When deserved, only give your affection: Make them work for the better results. Disregard that they're learning a pattern And become people-pleasing adults! When you take part in such thoughtful love, "Oh, it's so well conditioned!" — You'll cry. And, of course, our own need protecting, With a world that is scary place! There are so many people unworthy. Why call "people" such a disgrace? We should better make sure to isolate them: They don't look like you and me. I mean, they are called others with reason They just really don't look like me. When you cross paths with such deep thinking, "Oh, it's so well conditioned!" — You'll cry. Here's to the paradox of our nature The solutions becoming a blight Causing all of the wonderful problems That we thought them out to fight. It's ingrained in our very own beings. Dare I say, "Oh, it's so well conditioned you'll cry".
By Sasha Desideri4 months ago in Poets
What Would Not Bow
I wailed waiting too, trying to save you, I turned, and we fell apart. Hardened by your safety, you opened your arms to flame and slipped from my reach. In grief’s rising sea, you wanted something to hold; I broke that in me. Her lies filled the dark, behind your father’s name left me bone and dust. Your gaze drifted east, leaving my south‑bound hands still; your borrowed gaze held mine. In the mirror’s stillness, I stripped the love held by my string, and found no more tears. I tried to nurse hope, glancing back toward the moon’s glow; it hid me, showed you. The still bear remains — no rose can move what won’t wake, the stillness that would not bow.
By Caitlin Charlton4 months ago in Poets
The Plagiaristic New Wave Tarot
Introduction I was not sure I could actually do this because the villanelle format is based on repetition., so I counted up the actual number of lines in a villanelle and got thirteen which I assume is appropriate for a New Wave Tarot based poem.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 4 months ago in Poets
