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Tyrants would distribute largesse, a bushel of wheat, a gallon of wine, and a sesterce: and then everybody would shamelessly cry, “Long live the King!” —Juvenal
Keep a mind that’s blind to widened outlook.
Recite the writing on the PC wall.
Preach from Satan’s trick-the-trusting playbook,
Where speech is fine for some but not for all.
Prize all lies as facts when frauds have checked them
To spread the news the sycophants see fit.
Revel in the peaceful frays and mayhem
And praise each hypocrite of little wit.
Back all Machiavellian maneuvers
From those who loathe the country and its flag.
Bow to rules of liberty removers—
Accept debate is hate that begs a gag.
Scorn a realm that cancels cancel-culture.
Rip wings from dreams about to rise and soar.
Flatter haughty autocratic vultures
Who feed on crawlers kneeling on the floor…
Then you will have your bread-and-circus savior;
A Hun who’ll pledge a ton of fun for all.
Such knavish, slavish, kiss-the-con behavior
Will earn a payoff check—the fawner’s haul.
Now Netflix blares across a captive nation
As history’s tomes on Rome are left to burn.
Those questioning the worth of liberation
Are just about to wake up… look and learn.
.
.
Susan Jarvis Bryant is a church secretary and poet whose homeland is Kent, England. She is now an American citizen living on the coastal plains of Texas. Susan has poetry published in the UK webzine, Lighten Up On Line, The Daily Mail, and Openings (anthologies of poems by Open University Poets).
Concise verbiage, and delightfully incisive views as ever. Always a pleasure.
I’m glad you enjoyed this, Gail – it’s not the most cheerful of poems, but I simply had to say it. Thank you, too, for your continued support. It means a lot.
as per Aedile Cwerbus:
I concur with Ms. Root; Ms. Bryant uses “concise verbiage”; and the quote from Juvenal is most appropriate.
I’m glad Bruce Dale Wise finds the Juvenal quote “most appropriate” – it has cheered me no end.
Great poem, I love it! A very insightful and perceptive commentary on our times.
“Revel in the peaceful frays and mayhem
And praise each hypocrite of little wit.” –these lines really capture my imagination.
Thank you, Yael. I tried hard to capture history’s dark lessons lurking beneath the current foolish façade and I’m thrilled my poetic message captured your imagination.
All church bells will run out of chimes,
Ere Susan will use up her rhymes.
Russel – absolutely!
Good one! The comparison to ancient Rome is an apt one. I like the line “Scorn a realm that cancels cancel culture.” I wish your skillful descriptions of our present condition were less accurate. Unfortunately, we find ourselves in a time and place where ideology provides an excuse for history to be rewritten, ignored or distorted through an unfunhouse mirror. History is real, whether people like it or not.
Brian, I appreciate your considered and spot on comment and love your “unfunhouse mirror” analogy – how apt. I also wish my images of the current Western world weren’t as valid. Everyday, I try hard to put my pen down and bury my head in the sand… but, poetry won’t let me… this is the very first time I can say, I am truly suffering for my art. I hope another Octopus springs to the fore soon… sea monsters seem like cuddlesome teddy bears compared to the current administration. 😉
Quite an admonition for anyone who will listen. “Accept debate is hate that begs a gag” deals not only with diminishing freedom of speech, but with redefinition of language that takes away its usefulness as a means human communication.
Margaret, I am so glad you chose this line. Shutting down human communication and redefining language is the most wicked and dangerous thing any government can do – it erases our past and makes our present existence nothing but a lie… but, who out there knows or cares? A sad indictment of our tempestuous times.
Susan, I heartily agree, that the current ‘kiss-the-con behavior’ is sickening to observe. Thanks for adeptly highlighting the narrowness of opinion and thought which is a prerequisite for membership of the politically correct brigade.
David, thank you for your continuing encouragement and words of wisdom on all my political efforts. I know I have a limited audience, but sometimes I feel poetry is the only way of getting the truth out there… it’s rare for a news article, a TV programme, or any political speech to reflect the accurate state of our predicament – this poetry site is the much needed antidote to the ill effects of media fakery. With much gratitude.
Excellent work Susan – this has got a real, vitriolic kick in it. Love the line especially: ‘Scorn a realm that cancels cancel-culture.’ Yes, indeed. Very skilfully done.
James, thank you! I absolutely adore the term “vitriolic kick” – I am tempted to steal it for my next poem. 🙂
Ha! If it’s useful, please do Susan!
Susan,
Do use that “vk” on the ones you’re enflamed at
And do not forget the sweet spot that it’s aimed at!
I agree with everyone that this is really good stuff. “Maneuvers / removers” indeed!
Cynthia, thank you very much. It’s always great to have the support of fellow poets when putting one’s neck above the PC parapet. I will admit that I do get a little worried at times, and all the poets on this page (including your good self) make my efforts at keeping the truth alive well worth it. Thanks again!
It can’t get much better than this, Susan, but I am sure that somehow you will find a way.
I believe you’re right!
C.B., and Gail, I’m getting a lot of threatening and negative kickback at the moment, and your words inspire me to carry on… and I will. As I always say, freedom means more to me than my reputation. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
You’re most welcome!