Sixteen passions by Le Brun‘Victimhood & Narcissism’: Poems by Susan Jarvis Bryant The Society September 30, 2023 Poetry, Satire 48 Comments . Victimhood & Narcissism . I. The Joy of Grief “To have a grievance is to have a purpose in life” —Alan Coren I bleat and beef with no relief. The joy of grief has served me well. I’m exultation’s ardent thief. I scowl and shout and howl and pout. The joy of grief has served me well— Of that I have no ounce of doubt. I harp and cuss and carp and fuss. The joy of grief has served me well. I’m limelight-lit—a glitzy plus. I twist the truth. I raise the roof. The joy of grief has served me well. Misfortune pays. I’m living proof. I’m sure you’ve guessed that I’m oppressed – The joy of grief has served me well. I’m testy, stressed, and truly blessed. I am an ass (protected class). I bitch and bray and yell like hell. I stride the side of greener grass. The joy of grief has served me well. . II. A Narcissist’s Prayer a triolet Dear Lord, forgive my peerlessness— Perfection plagues me zealously. It kisses me with sheer finesse. Dear Lord, forgive my peerlessness. I know it kindles cheerlessness In emerald eyes of jealousy. Dear Lord, forgive my peerlessness— Perfection plagues me zealously. . III. Advice Then… Until you roll by in a hearse Know some soul always has it worse. You have a mangled heart to nurse? Know some soul always has it worse. You’re crippled by a crushing curse? Extinguish anguish with this verse— Until you roll by in a hearse Know some soul always has it worse. Now… Go revel in a hissy fit— A pity party’s where it’s at. It’s chic to shriek and curse and spit. Go revel in a hissy fit. Get irked and pissy. Stir some shit. Bawl and brawl. Become a brat. Go revel in a hissy fit— A pity party’s where it’s at. . IV. The Key to Happiness Delight is found in attitude— A chuckle conquers misery. Let laughter lift a ratty mood. Delight is found in attitude. Being curt and catty’s rude— Restrain the grim. Release the glee. Delight is found in attitude— A chuckle conquers misery. . . Susan Jarvis Bryant has poetry published on Lighten Up Online, Snakeskin, Light, Sparks of Calliope, and Expansive Poetry Online. She also has poetry published in TRINACRIA, Beth Houston’s Extreme Formal Poems anthology, and in Openings (anthologies of poems by Open University Poets in the UK). Susan is the winner of the 2020 International SCP Poetry Competition, and has been nominated for the 2022 Pushcart Prize. 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. CODEC Stories:Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) 48 Responses jd September 30, 2023 All so good as always, Susan. Thank you for providing us with the perfect poems for the times. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 jd, thank you very much indeed… what strange times we live in. Reply Russel Winick September 30, 2023 These are awesome, Susan. “The joy of grief has served me well” deftly epitomizes so much of what we see today. You’ve truly captured the moment. And “The Key to Happiness” is the perfect finale. Very well done, as usual. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Russel, I really appreciate your fine eye on these. You have become something of a site wizard on the mystery of modern times, so your words mean a lot. Reply Warren Bonham September 30, 2023 You hit the nail on the head in an entertaining way (as usual). Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Thank you very much, Warren. I’m pleased to have hit the right poetic note. Reply Joseph S. Salemi September 30, 2023 Susan, I stand in awe of your skill. You never disappoint, but here you have four perfect bull’s eyes! And they dissect the two most malignant distempers of our day: victimhood worn as a badge of honor, and sociopathic narcissism. Both of these diseases are now celebrated and encouraged and defended as sure-fire ways to get along in modern times. They are getting worse and worse, and widespread. But your poems skewer them precisely and articulately. Also, a tip of the hat to Evan Mantyk for that amazingly apt Le Brun illustration. I don’t know how he does it! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Joe, I am utterly over the moon that these poems are a success… your words have lifted my spirits. I was hoping everyone would get where I was coming from, and I’m glad I succeeded. I am so tired of all the dramatic handwringing and me-me-me-ing. If only some could see themselves through the eyes of sanity, civility, and serenity… the world would be a far better place. And yes, thank you, Evan! The accompanying complementary illustration is superb! Reply Norma Pain September 30, 2023 I really enjoyed these four poems Susan and read them over and over to try to absorb some of your brilliance. 🙂 Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Norma, I thoroughly appreciate your encouraging and complimentary comment – your poems and your comments never fail to make me smile. Thank you very much indeed! Reply Brian A. Yapko September 30, 2023 I just love these poems, Susan. They are filled with keen observations and unpleasant truths. “The Joy of Grief” is especially spot-on in its portrait of those who like to be professional martyrs, maybe even with a dose of Munchausen’s syndrome thrown in. I have known many people who would not know what to do with themselves if they couldn’t be victims who feel sorry for themselves. I especially like the paranthetical in your “I am an ass (protected class)…” because it is so ridiculous and yet absolutely accurate! Your narcissism poems are equally delightful and present a perfect poetic platter of piquant pleasure. I think my favorite line is the delightfully chewy “It’s chic to shriek and curse and spit.” It also sounds absurd and yet happens to now be the way of the world. “The Key to Happiness”, in contrast, actually offers sound advice without any irony. Attitude really does matter and, as Abe Lincoln once said, “a man is usually about as happy as he has made up his mind to be.” The difference between you and Lincoln? You offer wisdom with poetic aplomb! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Brian, I can always rely on you to get exactly where I’m coming from and where I intend to go with my poetry… your astute observations on ‘The Joy of Grief’ prove just that. I simply adore your superlative alliterative”…perfect poetic platter of piquant pleasure” description… a prompt for a poem if ever I heard one! And then there’s that marvelous quote from dear Abe… if only the kid-sniffing, cone-licking Biden was as honest and as humble… now, that dream really is a reach too far! Brian, thank you very much indeed! Reply Cynthia Erlandson September 30, 2023 Thank you, Susan, for approaching subjects that infuriate me, with such humor and fun. Now I can laugh, instead of scream. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Laughter in the face of the infuriating is exactly what I was after, Cynthia. This self-centered idiocy needs to be mocked not lauded… before the entire Western world cracks and crumbles into a heap of narcissistic insanity. I feel a funny poem coming on 😉 Reply Sally Cook September 30, 2023 Dear Lord, Forgive my peerlessness – I love it! That line alone would have done it for me, but then I read The Key to Happiness, and that wrapped it in tin foil and tied it in a big red bow ! Thanks once more, my dear talented friend. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Dear Sally, I always love hitting just the right note with you, and I am filled with joy to have done so on this occasion. I think both of us owe our attitudes to a generation who wouldn’t tolerate the self-centered navel-gazing of today… and I am certain it did us a power of good! Thank you very much for your kind words of encouragement. Reply Roy Eugene Peterson September 30, 2023 You have the appropriate title for these poems, one of perpetual victimhood and the other of piquant narcissism. The humor shines through them all while you are lampooning and skewering them. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Roy, thank you for this smile of a comment… “lampooning and skewing” – what a wonderful turn of phrase. Reply Yael September 30, 2023 You nailed the current Zeitgeist with this group of poems Susan. To remain in a reverent attitude of gratitude to our Creator is the only remedy which I can see, and your poetry sure helps me in my pursuit, thank you. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Yael, I love your words… powerful words that make a huge difference to outlook and purpose. “To remain in a reverent attitude of gratitude to our Creator” really is the key to a life of meaning beyond the self which allows one to embrace the bigger picture… always a humbling eye-opener. It heartens me to hear that my poetry helps – I always hope my poet’s-eye view goes some way towards making sense of the nonsensical and shedding some much-needed light in a dark world, so your words mean a lot. Thank you very much indeed. Reply Paul A. Freeman October 1, 2023 I particularly liked the then and now Advice. Soap operas have made us treat normal situations in life as incidents to be blown up and indefinitely pondered, and social media has given us a seemingly ‘sympathetic’ audience to click a heart or sad-face emoji. Thanks for the reads, Susan. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 You are most welcome, Paul, and I am glad you enjoyed them. I actually think politicians and the MSM revel in the real scaremongering… which has a far more detrimental effect on society than any soap opera… and then there’s the indoctrination system producing Thunbergian chicken littles by the multitudes. I’m sure the blame for a society gone insane doesn’t rest at doors of the Queen Vic or the Rovers Return… it’s far bigger than that… sadly. Reply Paul Freeman October 2, 2023 Don’t forget the Make-It-Up-Media and conspiracists like Q-Anon and Alex Jones. Mike Bryant October 2, 2023 Yeah, the mockingbird media really are responsible for much. Alex Jones really was a terrible conspiracist… until over 90% of his stories turned out to be true. If only the mockingbird media could get over 50% of their stories right. https://fortune.com/2023/02/15/trust-in-media-low-misinform-mislead-biased-republicans-democrats-poll-gallup/ Jeff Eardley October 1, 2023 Susan, these trip off the tongue superbly. I love all of them but particularly, “The Key to Happiness.” Alan Coren, made me chuckle. His son, Giles, writing in the Times, makes me guffaw, and the illustrations from Evan are brilliant. I don’t know how you do it, but don’t stop! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Jeff, it’s always lovely to hear from you and I’m thrilled you enjoyed the poems, especially ‘The Key to Happiness’ which I loved writing. It was inspired by advice from my grandmother. You have got me interested in Giles Coren… I will certainly check out his articles. Thank you! Reply Julian D. Woodruff October 1, 2023 Susan, these are terrific. The rhymes and alliteration in the 1st are fired as if from a machine gun. To me they all seem biblical, too. If I were a better- read Christian (or Jew) I bet I could readily cite appropriate psalm, prophet, or epistle to parallel the content of these jewels. Reply Mark Stellinga October 1, 2023 Susan, these 4 pieces are wonderfully terse, and each of their perspectives, conveyed this fluently, has been communicated as only a top-shelf poet like yourself could manage. Provocative as always… 🙂 Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Mark, thank you for your wonderful words of appreciation and encouragement. I especially like the word “provocative” – I aim to turn heads… poetically, of course. Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Julian, thank you very much for this… I especially appreciate your observation on my rhymes and alliteration… “fired as if from a machine gun” is an amazing compliment! I am sure my well-aimed words will trigger more than a few ready to throw themselves into a hissy fit over anything and everything. The wisdom of the Bible is amazing, and attitude is a theme that runs throughout. I actually read several books on the psychology of Narcissism, and the only book that satisfied my curiosity was a Christian based book that used passages from the Bible to explain the nature of the narcissist… or (in biblical terminology) the “scoffer”. Perhaps some of my finds wove themselves between the lines of my poetry series. I’m thrilled you heard them. Julian, thanks again! Reply Shaun C. Duncan October 1, 2023 These poems are magnificent, Susan, and with them I feel you’ve cut to the very heart of the dire social situation we find ourselves in. None of the vicious political nonsense which plagues Western society in the current year could have ever gained traction without the Victim-Narcissist, that sociopath who wields weakness as a weapon against the world. The solutions you offer are witty, concise and firmly grounded in common sense. Of course they will be ignored by the worst cases but they are a timely reminder for the rest of us who might be tempted at times to indulge in similar games. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Shaun, it’s always lovely to hear from you. Thank you for your kind words. You also make an excellent point when you say: None of the vicious political nonsense which plagues Western society in the current year could have ever gained traction without the Victim-Narcissist, that sociopath who wields weakness as a weapon against the world. … the very point I was trying to make in ‘The Joy of Grief’. You say it concisely and clearly. Whoever would have thought that whining and whinging one’s way through life would be applauded, and that so many would be willing to take part. I especially like your ‘timely reminder’ remark. It’s tough living in a world where victimhood is encouraged… and far too easy to sink into that mindset. Maintaining a positive attitude isn’t easy… but it is well worth it. Reply Allegra Silberstein October 1, 2023 With musical wit you have given my tummy a rumble of laughter. Thank you! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 I’m so pleased to hear this, Allegra – laughter is a universal language that we should all indulge in frequently. Reply Margaret Coats October 2, 2023 Susan, let me add to your praises with a couple of tiny observations. “The Joy of Grief” has wonderful soundplay, in addition to the delightfully oxymoronic title, but I find “Misfortune pays” to be the most creative summary of the whole in two iambic feet. Misfortune pays, not only in meaning for life, as the epigraph indicates, but in social and financial credit gained as a member of a “protected class,” as you say in another pair of fine feet. And it pays dividends of continuing misfortune as long as the victim cannot escape, which is usually a long time. Excellent analysis. Also a great idea to make “Advice” a pair of poems. The first time I heard the term “pity party” was way back “Then” when I was in army basic training. The sergeant excoriated some young women for self-pity, and all of certainly had it to one degree or another. Her main point, however, was that there is no party fun to be had in feeling sorry for yourself. It is a lonely exercise that can only drag others down. I can imagine a group engaging in all of what you describe in “Now,” but there is still no enjoyment to be had even from sympathizers and fellow actors or actresses. Good analysis again! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 3, 2023 Thank you very much for this, Margaret. You make some excellent points on the lucrative aspect of long-term misery. I also love your army story… your sergeant was spot-on in her advice… advice that is as rare as hens’ teeth today. Reply Paul Martin Freeman October 2, 2023 Others offer praise for your poetic gifts and social and psychological insights. Let me add my own for the indefatigable energy which breathes through all your work, Susan. You are a unique institution in yourself! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 3, 2023 Paul, what a wonderful comment – an encouraging and inspiring comment that has me smiling as a swarm of new words buzz in my head eager for me to release them in stanza form. I’ve never thought of myself as a ‘unique institution’… I like it! Thank you very much indeed! Reply Joshua C. Frank October 2, 2023 These are great, as usual! “The Joy of Grief:” I like the form with the repetend, “The joy of grief has served me well.” Also the internal rhyme in each first line. It’s sad but true that “misfortune pays;” the more victim cards a person can accumulate, the more revered he is by modern culture… unless, of course, he’s one of modern culture’s victims. “A Narcissist’s Prayer:” The triolet form is great for this, especially the repetition of the narcissist’s false prayer for forgiveness for being perfect. “Advice:” This sums up many of our culture’s changes well. “The Key to Happiness:” How true! It reminds me of the Stoic saying that it is not what happens to us that causes emotional pain, but only our judgment about what happens. The Stoic philosophers also added that it’s well within our power to wipe out such judgments. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 3, 2023 Joshua, thank you for the benefit of your fine literary and rational eye on my latest poems. I particularly like, “the more victim cards a person can accumulate, the more revered he is by modern culture… unless, of course, he’s one of modern culture’s victims.”… and therein lies today’s problem in a beaming ray of linguistic light. The minute one starts moaning about those in power… the callous claw of cancellation crushes any hope of getting the truth out there. Reply James Sale October 3, 2023 Ha ha ha!!! |The Joy of Grief? A fine oxymoron – and a superb poem – really enjoyed it, and as usual, on point! Thanks. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 3, 2023 James, thank you! And I’m glad that oxymoronic title had you laughing… I was laughing as I wrote every single poem on this page… such is the ridiculousness of the age we live in. It’s truly mockable… and must be mocked. The joy of grief may be the ‘new normal’ for many… but I am guffawing in its face! Reply Mike Bryant October 3, 2023 I am always flabbergasted at the variety, hilarity, wisdom, technical excellence, beauty, brilliance and joy of your frequent offerings! I watched you working on these separate poems over the course of a few days. You didn’t write them in this order and the words and titles went through more than a few adjustments, but, WOW, did they ever come together. Most people don’t know that these, and others, came about because of an exhaustive amount of reading you did on the subject. You read me the last piece of the puzzle that made everything snap into sharp focus. The book, as you’ve said, put everything into a scriptural perspective. Your research and your hard-earned knowledge have given me a precious gift… a kind of freedom from the clever manipulations of the narcissicist. Thank you, Sweetheart. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 3, 2023 I couldn’t have done it without you, biggest fan. Thank you! Reply Steve Todd October 9, 2023 Reading your work always reminds me why I love the english language… great work, as always Susan! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 16, 2023 Steve, thank you very much for your appreciation and encouragement. My adoration for the English language makes it impossible for me to avoid writing poetry… I simply can’t help myself. Reply C.B. Anderson October 12, 2023 These might have seemed like hissy-fits were it not for the depth of thought that, from a broader perspective, went into them. You rule, and many or most of us are glad to follow. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant October 16, 2023 C.B., I’m blushing… I’m truly humbled by the fine poets on this site who have added much to my poetry. I am also thrilled that you plumbed the depths of my hissy fits to reach the very heart of my message. Thank you! Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Captcha loading...In order to pass the CAPTCHA please enable JavaScript. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
jd September 30, 2023 All so good as always, Susan. Thank you for providing us with the perfect poems for the times. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 jd, thank you very much indeed… what strange times we live in. Reply
Russel Winick September 30, 2023 These are awesome, Susan. “The joy of grief has served me well” deftly epitomizes so much of what we see today. You’ve truly captured the moment. And “The Key to Happiness” is the perfect finale. Very well done, as usual. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Russel, I really appreciate your fine eye on these. You have become something of a site wizard on the mystery of modern times, so your words mean a lot. Reply
Warren Bonham September 30, 2023 You hit the nail on the head in an entertaining way (as usual). Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Thank you very much, Warren. I’m pleased to have hit the right poetic note. Reply
Joseph S. Salemi September 30, 2023 Susan, I stand in awe of your skill. You never disappoint, but here you have four perfect bull’s eyes! And they dissect the two most malignant distempers of our day: victimhood worn as a badge of honor, and sociopathic narcissism. Both of these diseases are now celebrated and encouraged and defended as sure-fire ways to get along in modern times. They are getting worse and worse, and widespread. But your poems skewer them precisely and articulately. Also, a tip of the hat to Evan Mantyk for that amazingly apt Le Brun illustration. I don’t know how he does it! Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Joe, I am utterly over the moon that these poems are a success… your words have lifted my spirits. I was hoping everyone would get where I was coming from, and I’m glad I succeeded. I am so tired of all the dramatic handwringing and me-me-me-ing. If only some could see themselves through the eyes of sanity, civility, and serenity… the world would be a far better place. And yes, thank you, Evan! The accompanying complementary illustration is superb! Reply
Norma Pain September 30, 2023 I really enjoyed these four poems Susan and read them over and over to try to absorb some of your brilliance. 🙂 Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Norma, I thoroughly appreciate your encouraging and complimentary comment – your poems and your comments never fail to make me smile. Thank you very much indeed! Reply
Brian A. Yapko September 30, 2023 I just love these poems, Susan. They are filled with keen observations and unpleasant truths. “The Joy of Grief” is especially spot-on in its portrait of those who like to be professional martyrs, maybe even with a dose of Munchausen’s syndrome thrown in. I have known many people who would not know what to do with themselves if they couldn’t be victims who feel sorry for themselves. I especially like the paranthetical in your “I am an ass (protected class)…” because it is so ridiculous and yet absolutely accurate! Your narcissism poems are equally delightful and present a perfect poetic platter of piquant pleasure. I think my favorite line is the delightfully chewy “It’s chic to shriek and curse and spit.” It also sounds absurd and yet happens to now be the way of the world. “The Key to Happiness”, in contrast, actually offers sound advice without any irony. Attitude really does matter and, as Abe Lincoln once said, “a man is usually about as happy as he has made up his mind to be.” The difference between you and Lincoln? You offer wisdom with poetic aplomb! Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Brian, I can always rely on you to get exactly where I’m coming from and where I intend to go with my poetry… your astute observations on ‘The Joy of Grief’ prove just that. I simply adore your superlative alliterative”…perfect poetic platter of piquant pleasure” description… a prompt for a poem if ever I heard one! And then there’s that marvelous quote from dear Abe… if only the kid-sniffing, cone-licking Biden was as honest and as humble… now, that dream really is a reach too far! Brian, thank you very much indeed! Reply
Cynthia Erlandson September 30, 2023 Thank you, Susan, for approaching subjects that infuriate me, with such humor and fun. Now I can laugh, instead of scream. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Laughter in the face of the infuriating is exactly what I was after, Cynthia. This self-centered idiocy needs to be mocked not lauded… before the entire Western world cracks and crumbles into a heap of narcissistic insanity. I feel a funny poem coming on 😉 Reply
Sally Cook September 30, 2023 Dear Lord, Forgive my peerlessness – I love it! That line alone would have done it for me, but then I read The Key to Happiness, and that wrapped it in tin foil and tied it in a big red bow ! Thanks once more, my dear talented friend. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Dear Sally, I always love hitting just the right note with you, and I am filled with joy to have done so on this occasion. I think both of us owe our attitudes to a generation who wouldn’t tolerate the self-centered navel-gazing of today… and I am certain it did us a power of good! Thank you very much for your kind words of encouragement. Reply
Roy Eugene Peterson September 30, 2023 You have the appropriate title for these poems, one of perpetual victimhood and the other of piquant narcissism. The humor shines through them all while you are lampooning and skewering them. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Roy, thank you for this smile of a comment… “lampooning and skewing” – what a wonderful turn of phrase. Reply
Yael September 30, 2023 You nailed the current Zeitgeist with this group of poems Susan. To remain in a reverent attitude of gratitude to our Creator is the only remedy which I can see, and your poetry sure helps me in my pursuit, thank you. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Yael, I love your words… powerful words that make a huge difference to outlook and purpose. “To remain in a reverent attitude of gratitude to our Creator” really is the key to a life of meaning beyond the self which allows one to embrace the bigger picture… always a humbling eye-opener. It heartens me to hear that my poetry helps – I always hope my poet’s-eye view goes some way towards making sense of the nonsensical and shedding some much-needed light in a dark world, so your words mean a lot. Thank you very much indeed. Reply
Paul A. Freeman October 1, 2023 I particularly liked the then and now Advice. Soap operas have made us treat normal situations in life as incidents to be blown up and indefinitely pondered, and social media has given us a seemingly ‘sympathetic’ audience to click a heart or sad-face emoji. Thanks for the reads, Susan. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 You are most welcome, Paul, and I am glad you enjoyed them. I actually think politicians and the MSM revel in the real scaremongering… which has a far more detrimental effect on society than any soap opera… and then there’s the indoctrination system producing Thunbergian chicken littles by the multitudes. I’m sure the blame for a society gone insane doesn’t rest at doors of the Queen Vic or the Rovers Return… it’s far bigger than that… sadly. Reply
Paul Freeman October 2, 2023 Don’t forget the Make-It-Up-Media and conspiracists like Q-Anon and Alex Jones.
Mike Bryant October 2, 2023 Yeah, the mockingbird media really are responsible for much. Alex Jones really was a terrible conspiracist… until over 90% of his stories turned out to be true. If only the mockingbird media could get over 50% of their stories right. https://fortune.com/2023/02/15/trust-in-media-low-misinform-mislead-biased-republicans-democrats-poll-gallup/
Jeff Eardley October 1, 2023 Susan, these trip off the tongue superbly. I love all of them but particularly, “The Key to Happiness.” Alan Coren, made me chuckle. His son, Giles, writing in the Times, makes me guffaw, and the illustrations from Evan are brilliant. I don’t know how you do it, but don’t stop! Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Jeff, it’s always lovely to hear from you and I’m thrilled you enjoyed the poems, especially ‘The Key to Happiness’ which I loved writing. It was inspired by advice from my grandmother. You have got me interested in Giles Coren… I will certainly check out his articles. Thank you! Reply
Julian D. Woodruff October 1, 2023 Susan, these are terrific. The rhymes and alliteration in the 1st are fired as if from a machine gun. To me they all seem biblical, too. If I were a better- read Christian (or Jew) I bet I could readily cite appropriate psalm, prophet, or epistle to parallel the content of these jewels. Reply
Mark Stellinga October 1, 2023 Susan, these 4 pieces are wonderfully terse, and each of their perspectives, conveyed this fluently, has been communicated as only a top-shelf poet like yourself could manage. Provocative as always… 🙂 Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Mark, thank you for your wonderful words of appreciation and encouragement. I especially like the word “provocative” – I aim to turn heads… poetically, of course.
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Julian, thank you very much for this… I especially appreciate your observation on my rhymes and alliteration… “fired as if from a machine gun” is an amazing compliment! I am sure my well-aimed words will trigger more than a few ready to throw themselves into a hissy fit over anything and everything. The wisdom of the Bible is amazing, and attitude is a theme that runs throughout. I actually read several books on the psychology of Narcissism, and the only book that satisfied my curiosity was a Christian based book that used passages from the Bible to explain the nature of the narcissist… or (in biblical terminology) the “scoffer”. Perhaps some of my finds wove themselves between the lines of my poetry series. I’m thrilled you heard them. Julian, thanks again! Reply
Shaun C. Duncan October 1, 2023 These poems are magnificent, Susan, and with them I feel you’ve cut to the very heart of the dire social situation we find ourselves in. None of the vicious political nonsense which plagues Western society in the current year could have ever gained traction without the Victim-Narcissist, that sociopath who wields weakness as a weapon against the world. The solutions you offer are witty, concise and firmly grounded in common sense. Of course they will be ignored by the worst cases but they are a timely reminder for the rest of us who might be tempted at times to indulge in similar games. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 Shaun, it’s always lovely to hear from you. Thank you for your kind words. You also make an excellent point when you say: None of the vicious political nonsense which plagues Western society in the current year could have ever gained traction without the Victim-Narcissist, that sociopath who wields weakness as a weapon against the world. … the very point I was trying to make in ‘The Joy of Grief’. You say it concisely and clearly. Whoever would have thought that whining and whinging one’s way through life would be applauded, and that so many would be willing to take part. I especially like your ‘timely reminder’ remark. It’s tough living in a world where victimhood is encouraged… and far too easy to sink into that mindset. Maintaining a positive attitude isn’t easy… but it is well worth it. Reply
Allegra Silberstein October 1, 2023 With musical wit you have given my tummy a rumble of laughter. Thank you! Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 1, 2023 I’m so pleased to hear this, Allegra – laughter is a universal language that we should all indulge in frequently. Reply
Margaret Coats October 2, 2023 Susan, let me add to your praises with a couple of tiny observations. “The Joy of Grief” has wonderful soundplay, in addition to the delightfully oxymoronic title, but I find “Misfortune pays” to be the most creative summary of the whole in two iambic feet. Misfortune pays, not only in meaning for life, as the epigraph indicates, but in social and financial credit gained as a member of a “protected class,” as you say in another pair of fine feet. And it pays dividends of continuing misfortune as long as the victim cannot escape, which is usually a long time. Excellent analysis. Also a great idea to make “Advice” a pair of poems. The first time I heard the term “pity party” was way back “Then” when I was in army basic training. The sergeant excoriated some young women for self-pity, and all of certainly had it to one degree or another. Her main point, however, was that there is no party fun to be had in feeling sorry for yourself. It is a lonely exercise that can only drag others down. I can imagine a group engaging in all of what you describe in “Now,” but there is still no enjoyment to be had even from sympathizers and fellow actors or actresses. Good analysis again! Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 3, 2023 Thank you very much for this, Margaret. You make some excellent points on the lucrative aspect of long-term misery. I also love your army story… your sergeant was spot-on in her advice… advice that is as rare as hens’ teeth today. Reply
Paul Martin Freeman October 2, 2023 Others offer praise for your poetic gifts and social and psychological insights. Let me add my own for the indefatigable energy which breathes through all your work, Susan. You are a unique institution in yourself! Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 3, 2023 Paul, what a wonderful comment – an encouraging and inspiring comment that has me smiling as a swarm of new words buzz in my head eager for me to release them in stanza form. I’ve never thought of myself as a ‘unique institution’… I like it! Thank you very much indeed! Reply
Joshua C. Frank October 2, 2023 These are great, as usual! “The Joy of Grief:” I like the form with the repetend, “The joy of grief has served me well.” Also the internal rhyme in each first line. It’s sad but true that “misfortune pays;” the more victim cards a person can accumulate, the more revered he is by modern culture… unless, of course, he’s one of modern culture’s victims. “A Narcissist’s Prayer:” The triolet form is great for this, especially the repetition of the narcissist’s false prayer for forgiveness for being perfect. “Advice:” This sums up many of our culture’s changes well. “The Key to Happiness:” How true! It reminds me of the Stoic saying that it is not what happens to us that causes emotional pain, but only our judgment about what happens. The Stoic philosophers also added that it’s well within our power to wipe out such judgments. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 3, 2023 Joshua, thank you for the benefit of your fine literary and rational eye on my latest poems. I particularly like, “the more victim cards a person can accumulate, the more revered he is by modern culture… unless, of course, he’s one of modern culture’s victims.”… and therein lies today’s problem in a beaming ray of linguistic light. The minute one starts moaning about those in power… the callous claw of cancellation crushes any hope of getting the truth out there. Reply
James Sale October 3, 2023 Ha ha ha!!! |The Joy of Grief? A fine oxymoron – and a superb poem – really enjoyed it, and as usual, on point! Thanks. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 3, 2023 James, thank you! And I’m glad that oxymoronic title had you laughing… I was laughing as I wrote every single poem on this page… such is the ridiculousness of the age we live in. It’s truly mockable… and must be mocked. The joy of grief may be the ‘new normal’ for many… but I am guffawing in its face! Reply
Mike Bryant October 3, 2023 I am always flabbergasted at the variety, hilarity, wisdom, technical excellence, beauty, brilliance and joy of your frequent offerings! I watched you working on these separate poems over the course of a few days. You didn’t write them in this order and the words and titles went through more than a few adjustments, but, WOW, did they ever come together. Most people don’t know that these, and others, came about because of an exhaustive amount of reading you did on the subject. You read me the last piece of the puzzle that made everything snap into sharp focus. The book, as you’ve said, put everything into a scriptural perspective. Your research and your hard-earned knowledge have given me a precious gift… a kind of freedom from the clever manipulations of the narcissicist. Thank you, Sweetheart. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 3, 2023 I couldn’t have done it without you, biggest fan. Thank you! Reply
Steve Todd October 9, 2023 Reading your work always reminds me why I love the english language… great work, as always Susan! Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 16, 2023 Steve, thank you very much for your appreciation and encouragement. My adoration for the English language makes it impossible for me to avoid writing poetry… I simply can’t help myself. Reply
C.B. Anderson October 12, 2023 These might have seemed like hissy-fits were it not for the depth of thought that, from a broader perspective, went into them. You rule, and many or most of us are glad to follow. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant October 16, 2023 C.B., I’m blushing… I’m truly humbled by the fine poets on this site who have added much to my poetry. I am also thrilled that you plumbed the depths of my hissy fits to reach the very heart of my message. Thank you! Reply
