Illustration by Jacen Burrows‘So Simple’ and Other Poetry by Mike Bryant The Society December 10, 2021 Covid-19, Culture, Poetry 23 Comments . So Simple Lies are told to Balkanize, To disenfranchise, federalize, To bloat the vote. An anecdote, A narrative, a false footnote To cast their spell on sheepish folk, Who swell with pride because they’re woke And on the side of all the wise, Those guys and gals that burglarize. They rob the workers. Yes, the makers Always lose out to those takers. Public servants all get rich By throwing idiots in the ditch. They propagandize, chastise, scold The youth and euthanize the old. The caring souls are stigmatized, The bold and savvy, atomized. They take the gold, they make the rules And leave the scruples to the fools. __Don’t wonder why the world cries, Or why the nations are so poorly led. __It is the consequence of lies Like, “God is dead” and “We are monkey-bred.” __It shouldn’t be a big surprise, We’ve seen it coming incrementally. __Most people never realize That nothing happens accidentally. . . The Sniffles The fact is viruses do not get worse. Each generation is less virulent. The Wuhan flu was tailored for the purse Of hateful statesmen and the arrogant. Omicron, it’s child, is very weak. It doesn’t kill, it’s strange and it is old. It’s time for Pharma’s next new deadly tweak Before it’s just another common cold. . . Mike Bryant is a poet and retired plumber living on the Gulf Coast of Texas. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Trending now: 23 Responses Brian Yapko December 10, 2021 Mike, both of these are wonderfully entertaining even as they offer a venomous, eye-opening bite of reality. I’m not a fan of hip-hop music but the first 18 lines of your “So Simple” would be overwhelming (in a good way) if it were actually performed out loud with rigorous rhythm, maybe a little percussion background because it has such great pulsing momentum. Then the music comes to a dead stop as you recite the cold, hard truths of the second stanza. A performance to consider perhaps some time? As to both poems, thank you for pointing out how much of policy and public opinion is being formed based on falsehoods. Reply Mike Bryant December 10, 2021 Well, Brian, you’ve got me thinkin’… do you think I might have a future in the Rap World??? Maybe you could come up with a rap handle for me. Thanks. Reply Brian Yapko December 10, 2021 Mike, don’t create an irresistible challenge for me! L’il Frost, William Word-Sword, Shake, the Spear, Alexander Pop, Ten-E-Son or — my personal favorite — Sonnet Boom. Take your pick. Mike Bryant December 10, 2021 Hmmmm, love ‘em all, Brian. I wonder if you could put ‘em all together? Cynthia Erlandson December 10, 2021 I agree with Brian, and I love the many internal rhymes, and especially all of the -ize and -ized ones! Reply Mike Bryant December 10, 2021 Thanks Cynthia… I hate to admit this, but I have a sneaking feeling that the “ize” have it on rhymezone.com… the most rhymes that is. I also know the rhymes aren’t perfect unless the stressed syllable also rhymes… Reply Margaret Coats December 10, 2021 Mike, you have it right in both poems. I like “So Simple” for the combination of fast and slow portions. And it’s a little strange to see that the bold and savvy are “atomized,” which could mean “blown to bits” or “separated from one another and rendered ineffective.” A lot of that has happened, especially if we think of all the intelligent people who look to lies as their main source of information. So much important knowledge on controversial topics is immediately censored, and when it necessarily comes out, an adapted lie is ready. Where I live, we’ve had “Sniffles” of the mu variant and the lambda variant for many weeks, without any publicity. Now this omicron comes along, and we get it within a few days. Still, the powers that be are so busy with a time line for vaccine mandates, that they haven’t come up with any response! Reply Mike Bryant December 10, 2021 I really appreciate your support, Margaret. I wonder if lambda and mu were tests for the nation-wide rollout of the next scariant. Thanks for your thoughtful comment. Reply C.B. Anderson December 10, 2021 You wear your heart on your sleeve, Mike, which is probably where it belongs. Could you have been any more blunt about the idiots who think they rule us? Perhaps, but I doubt Evan would have published it. You walk the line, man. Reply Mike Bryant December 10, 2021 That has often been my downfall, C.B. I cannot tell you how many times my big mouth has put me in a bad position. If I could do it all again I’d probably do it all again. Thanks. Reply Sally Cook December 10, 2021 Mike, marvelous work. I often think that you and Susan are so fortunate to have each other to discuss poetic things with. It’s the Brownings all over again ! Reply Mike Bryant December 10, 2021 Sally, we do talk poetry all the time. I’ve got to say that the inspiration, the tips, the instruction and the freedom available at SCP from Evan and all the amazing poets here has been invaluable. Thanks for all that you bring, Sally. As for the Brownings… you’re half right. Reply Norma Okun December 10, 2021 Lies and truth one could not be without the other. The lies or the ugly like rats and white clouds. Part of all that is and lies and truth will be one against the other. As time will be without the lies because the kindness of the Lord bestows us with a glow. Thanks for the poems Reply Mike Bryant December 10, 2021 Thank you, Norma! Reply Julian D. Woodruff December 10, 2021 Mike, I share your faith in big Pharma, and in the politicians behind those crooks and their investors. A colossal and seemingly permanent sham. Reply Mike Bryant December 10, 2021 Julian, They’ve held the reins for fifty years (at least) I never thought that medicine would be turned against the free. Susan had it all sussed eleven years ago. She even figured out the global warming scam before I did… but just barely. The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary. – H. L. Mencken Reply D.G. Rowe December 11, 2021 Aye, we can trace the begins of Medical corruption, its capture, and mutation by unscrupulous parasites, hence the path it’s carved open for these parasites to what we have manifesting today ( just a matter of waiting patiently for technology to catch up with their ideas), to the drawing up and implementation of the Flexner Report. On a side note, Mr Bryant, on the subject of technonoly and the seeming inexorable march of its debasement of the human spirit I urge you to read “Industrial Society and Its Future” written by Ted Kaczynski, despite what he drove himself to commit, his treatise on the psychological sickness of modern Industrial Tech society is prophetic to the last inch. He goes right for the jugular in the opening paragraphs, you’ll see what I mean. Here is a link to it on Archive.org, its an extended 35000 word Essay, read objectively, it will, for want of a better turn of phrase, “blow your mind” at how utterly correct this man’s critique is. https://ia801805.us.archive.org/33/items/duttonkacztradsham/fc-industrial-society-and-its-future.pdf Oh, and pal, cheers for the ditties, roguish as per. Benjamen Grinberg December 11, 2021 I loved reading the comments as much as the poem Reply Mike Bryant December 13, 2021 Thanks, Ben Reply Patricia Redfern December 17, 2021 Mike..Both were brilliant to me? Thank you. I like poetry more than comments. Your poetry is dazzling. Reply Mike Bryant December 17, 2021 Thank you, Patricia Reply Tamara Beryl Latham December 24, 2021 Mike, you have a special talent for writing poetry. I was tremendously impressed with “So Simple,” especially since I worked in the pharmaceutical industry for twenty years as a Research and Development chemist. I must admit, there was a change in the last couple of decades. The emphasis shifted to money (profit) rather than compounds that were beneficial treatments for the various diseases. We can clearly see this in the TV advertisements for drugs where the side effects so drastically outweigh the benefits. Any scientist that speaks out against big pharma is targeted, so silence becomes the lingo of choice, especially if one wants to keep his or her job. Yet, “greed” is not only rampant in pharmaceuticals, it is seen in every industry around the globe. Years ago a 25% profit was sufficient for a company’s growth, but now even 400% is too little. You’ve captured all of the above in your excellent poem, “So Simple.” The second poem, “The Sniffles” speaks volumes to truth. For some reason it reminds me of Dr. Sherri Tenpenny’s statement indicating if we take the vaccine we will be required to get booster after booster after booster. Her facebook video is cause for alarm, but now she is targeted by those who have a different global agenda. The salient feature of your poetry, aside from enjambment, is your word sequence. Great job! 🙂 Reply Mike Bryant December 24, 2021 Thanks, Tamara Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Brian Yapko December 10, 2021 Mike, both of these are wonderfully entertaining even as they offer a venomous, eye-opening bite of reality. I’m not a fan of hip-hop music but the first 18 lines of your “So Simple” would be overwhelming (in a good way) if it were actually performed out loud with rigorous rhythm, maybe a little percussion background because it has such great pulsing momentum. Then the music comes to a dead stop as you recite the cold, hard truths of the second stanza. A performance to consider perhaps some time? As to both poems, thank you for pointing out how much of policy and public opinion is being formed based on falsehoods. Reply
Mike Bryant December 10, 2021 Well, Brian, you’ve got me thinkin’… do you think I might have a future in the Rap World??? Maybe you could come up with a rap handle for me. Thanks. Reply
Brian Yapko December 10, 2021 Mike, don’t create an irresistible challenge for me! L’il Frost, William Word-Sword, Shake, the Spear, Alexander Pop, Ten-E-Son or — my personal favorite — Sonnet Boom. Take your pick.
Mike Bryant December 10, 2021 Hmmmm, love ‘em all, Brian. I wonder if you could put ‘em all together?
Cynthia Erlandson December 10, 2021 I agree with Brian, and I love the many internal rhymes, and especially all of the -ize and -ized ones! Reply
Mike Bryant December 10, 2021 Thanks Cynthia… I hate to admit this, but I have a sneaking feeling that the “ize” have it on rhymezone.com… the most rhymes that is. I also know the rhymes aren’t perfect unless the stressed syllable also rhymes… Reply
Margaret Coats December 10, 2021 Mike, you have it right in both poems. I like “So Simple” for the combination of fast and slow portions. And it’s a little strange to see that the bold and savvy are “atomized,” which could mean “blown to bits” or “separated from one another and rendered ineffective.” A lot of that has happened, especially if we think of all the intelligent people who look to lies as their main source of information. So much important knowledge on controversial topics is immediately censored, and when it necessarily comes out, an adapted lie is ready. Where I live, we’ve had “Sniffles” of the mu variant and the lambda variant for many weeks, without any publicity. Now this omicron comes along, and we get it within a few days. Still, the powers that be are so busy with a time line for vaccine mandates, that they haven’t come up with any response! Reply
Mike Bryant December 10, 2021 I really appreciate your support, Margaret. I wonder if lambda and mu were tests for the nation-wide rollout of the next scariant. Thanks for your thoughtful comment. Reply
C.B. Anderson December 10, 2021 You wear your heart on your sleeve, Mike, which is probably where it belongs. Could you have been any more blunt about the idiots who think they rule us? Perhaps, but I doubt Evan would have published it. You walk the line, man. Reply
Mike Bryant December 10, 2021 That has often been my downfall, C.B. I cannot tell you how many times my big mouth has put me in a bad position. If I could do it all again I’d probably do it all again. Thanks. Reply
Sally Cook December 10, 2021 Mike, marvelous work. I often think that you and Susan are so fortunate to have each other to discuss poetic things with. It’s the Brownings all over again ! Reply
Mike Bryant December 10, 2021 Sally, we do talk poetry all the time. I’ve got to say that the inspiration, the tips, the instruction and the freedom available at SCP from Evan and all the amazing poets here has been invaluable. Thanks for all that you bring, Sally. As for the Brownings… you’re half right. Reply
Norma Okun December 10, 2021 Lies and truth one could not be without the other. The lies or the ugly like rats and white clouds. Part of all that is and lies and truth will be one against the other. As time will be without the lies because the kindness of the Lord bestows us with a glow. Thanks for the poems Reply
Julian D. Woodruff December 10, 2021 Mike, I share your faith in big Pharma, and in the politicians behind those crooks and their investors. A colossal and seemingly permanent sham. Reply
Mike Bryant December 10, 2021 Julian, They’ve held the reins for fifty years (at least) I never thought that medicine would be turned against the free. Susan had it all sussed eleven years ago. She even figured out the global warming scam before I did… but just barely. The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary. – H. L. Mencken Reply
D.G. Rowe December 11, 2021 Aye, we can trace the begins of Medical corruption, its capture, and mutation by unscrupulous parasites, hence the path it’s carved open for these parasites to what we have manifesting today ( just a matter of waiting patiently for technology to catch up with their ideas), to the drawing up and implementation of the Flexner Report. On a side note, Mr Bryant, on the subject of technonoly and the seeming inexorable march of its debasement of the human spirit I urge you to read “Industrial Society and Its Future” written by Ted Kaczynski, despite what he drove himself to commit, his treatise on the psychological sickness of modern Industrial Tech society is prophetic to the last inch. He goes right for the jugular in the opening paragraphs, you’ll see what I mean. Here is a link to it on Archive.org, its an extended 35000 word Essay, read objectively, it will, for want of a better turn of phrase, “blow your mind” at how utterly correct this man’s critique is. https://ia801805.us.archive.org/33/items/duttonkacztradsham/fc-industrial-society-and-its-future.pdf Oh, and pal, cheers for the ditties, roguish as per.
Patricia Redfern December 17, 2021 Mike..Both were brilliant to me? Thank you. I like poetry more than comments. Your poetry is dazzling. Reply
Tamara Beryl Latham December 24, 2021 Mike, you have a special talent for writing poetry. I was tremendously impressed with “So Simple,” especially since I worked in the pharmaceutical industry for twenty years as a Research and Development chemist. I must admit, there was a change in the last couple of decades. The emphasis shifted to money (profit) rather than compounds that were beneficial treatments for the various diseases. We can clearly see this in the TV advertisements for drugs where the side effects so drastically outweigh the benefits. Any scientist that speaks out against big pharma is targeted, so silence becomes the lingo of choice, especially if one wants to keep his or her job. Yet, “greed” is not only rampant in pharmaceuticals, it is seen in every industry around the globe. Years ago a 25% profit was sufficient for a company’s growth, but now even 400% is too little. You’ve captured all of the above in your excellent poem, “So Simple.” The second poem, “The Sniffles” speaks volumes to truth. For some reason it reminds me of Dr. Sherri Tenpenny’s statement indicating if we take the vaccine we will be required to get booster after booster after booster. Her facebook video is cause for alarm, but now she is targeted by those who have a different global agenda. The salient feature of your poetry, aside from enjambment, is your word sequence. Great job! 🙂 Reply
