.

The FBI—Then and Now

So respected when I was a kid,
For the things we all read that they did,
It’s substantially altered today—
Now we hardly trust one word they say.

.

.

The Modern Mainstream Media

Not long ago the mainstream media,
Brought facts like an encyclopedia.
But that’s all changed, for in its new crusade,
It seeks not to inform, but to persuade.

.

.

Anger

In this world it actually seems sensible,
If you’re filled with loathing at the slime.
Growing madness makes that comprehensible,
But who wants to be angry all the time?

.

.

Contentment

It does you no good to lament,
What others don’t put on your shelf,
So you must be fully content,
With what you have put there yourself.

.

.

Forgiveness

He was terribly wronged
By a voice that abused,
And simply no reason
Could make it excused.

The suffering caused
Was not just a short phase,
It compromised life
In some serious ways.

Experts tout forgiveness
As good for the soul,
They say only that way
Can one’s heart be whole.

And they call it crucial
To lose anger now,
But preaching forgiveness
Does not teach one “how.”

He brimmed with resentment
And knew it brought woe,
But all the sad years
Made blame seem apropos.

Then love came his way,
And much anger was purged.
Joy finally held sway,
And forgiveness emerged.

.

.

Russel Winick recently started writing poetry after ending a long legal career. He resides in Naperville, Illinois.

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11 Responses

  1. Phil S. Rogers

    Good poems to start my morning. I especially like ‘The Modern Mainstream media’ and ‘Contentment.’ Thank you Russel.

    Reply
  2. Russel Winick

    Thanks for weighing in, Phil. I’m glad that my poems helped get your morning off to a good start!

    Reply
  3. Cheryl A Corey

    Your FBI poem was spot on. Where once it was revered, now it’s despised.

    Reply
    • Russel Winick

      Yes Cheryl, it became despised when it was weaponized. Hopefully it can get back to being what it used to be. Thanks for your feedback!

      Reply
  4. Roy Eugene Peterson

    The first two poems are direct hits that echo my feelings exactly. The other three poems really fit together nicely. I do enjoy short uncomplicated poems with a message, and you have once again succeeded wonderfully.

    Reply
  5. Russel Winick

    Thank you so much, Roy. I’m glad that we share views and poetic tastes. The poem “Contentment” covers something that has occupied space in my mind for a long time.

    Reply
  6. Joseph S. Salemi

    The new Trump administration will be kicking ass at the FBI. A lot of left-liberal sympathizers and Biden flunkies are already being fired.

    Reply
  7. C.B. Anderson

    Regarding the first poem, though I think he worked for the Treasury Department, where is Eliot Ness when we really need him? Alas, Babylon.

    After reading the other poems, I think it would be fair to say, Russel, that you are the Dean of Pith.

    Reply
  8. Margaret Coats

    Russel, your messages with a moral are always perceptive. Anger is a corrosive emotion, and I have heard a feminist say she can hardly bear the resentment other feminists expect her to show. Indeed, who wants to be angry all the time?

    Your lesson on forgiveness is exceptionally apropos. Love is the “how to,” though not an easy one to put into immediate effect when one feels wronged. Still, most of us have a supply of love somewhere, and I find that merely thinking of it can help generate forgiveness in the other, injured part of life where it restores wholeness to heart and soul. You’ve considered this topic carefully, to note both the circumstances causing special difficulty, and the ineffectiveness of simple exhortations to forgive.

    The contrast of “inform” and “persuade” in the media poem is telling. In many cases, it may be that media folk have not taken care to adequately inform themselves.

    Reply
  9. Russel Winick

    Margaret – Thank you for everything you’ve said. Your thoughtful analyses are always special, and immensely appreciated. I also need to mention that with the poem “Forgiveness,” feedback from Evan was once again quite helpful, and led to enhancement.

    Reply

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