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Deconstructing Communism

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Deconstructing Communism

A Sonnet on Cleve Backster and Other Poetry by Evan Mantyk

The Society
July 19, 2019
Beauty, Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry
17 Comments
Sonnet IV. Cleve Backster whose work on plant perception gained wide exposure in the 1973 publication The Secret Life of Plants. While people claim the fetus has no being Worth enough to trump a...

‘These Twins’ and Other Poetry by Leo Zoutewelle

The Society
July 12, 2019
Beauty, Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Humor, Poetry
4 Comments
These Twins These twins came forth in one amniotic sac. They sensed the danger they had come upon And both held hands to keep that danger back: It truly was the best they could have done. Their need...

‘G-Mafia’ by Bruce Dale Wise

The Society
June 25, 2019
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry
14 Comments
G-Mafia "Let us now praise freedom's twilight..." —Osip Mandelstam by Esca Webuilder We live without the feeling of the country under us. We cannot hear ourselves; nobody listens to our pulse. But...

Two Ballads on Abortion

The Society
June 20, 2019
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry
2 Comments
Planned Parenthood's a Euphemism upon reading March for Life's annual report by Roy E. Peterson Planned Parenthood’s a euphemism __Covering up the murder Of babies by abortion-ism— __We must...

‘Birthday Greeting to a Doomed Child’ and Other Poetry by Martin Rizley

The Society
June 12, 2019
Beauty, Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry
9 Comments
  Birthday Greeting to a Doomed Child a song of lament decrying New York´s “birthday abortion” law, approved January 22, 2019 So, welcome to this world, little one, little one! Your first and...

‘To Conservatives’ by Carl Hildebrand

The Society
June 11, 2019
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry
3 Comments
  To fight a fight on ground of your own choosing, To force the foe to battle at your pleasure Is feasible so long as you’re not losing— And so you have, so long as you remember. The Right...

A Ballad for College-bound Students, by Ron L. Hodges

The Society
June 6, 2019
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry, Short Stories
2 Comments
Icarus’ Fall at College   Prologue Dear reader, surely, you must think, __“What could be taught to us That we haven’t already learned __Of mythic Icarus? “His plunge is clearly a...

‘Forgetting the Tiananmen Square Massacre for 30 Years’ and Other Poetry by Damian Robin

The Society
June 4, 2019
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Human Rights in China, Poetry
41 Comments
  Forgetting the Tiananmen Square Massacre for 30 Years Robbed of life and liberty in open air, Young citizens ran out of breath inside the Square. Hot bullets opened skin to pump bright flesh holes...

‘Abortion Rites’ by Edward C. Hayes

The Society
May 23, 2019
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry
14 Comments
lyrics inspired by the movie Unplanned Ms. Sally loved the parties, spent her nights out "on the town." Her door was open for the boys, whenever they came ‘round. Then one morning when she woke she knew that...

‘The Cottage in the Glen’ by Martin Rizley

The Society
May 22, 2019
Beauty, Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry
17 Comments
  While driving on an April day along a winding road Through rolling hills, beside the way, I spied a small abode A little cottage in a glen below a bridge I crossed, The sight of which, had I not...

A Poem on Terrorism: ‘Why Not?’ by T.M. Moore

The Society
May 18, 2019
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry, Terrorism
6 Comments
  We shake our heads, and wonder, “Why?” aloud each time some speeding truck plows through a crowd, or grinning gunman gloats at blood and breath spilled and extinguished by his date with...

‘White Is A Color, Too’ and Other Poetry by Ron L. Hodges

The Society
May 16, 2019
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Humor, Poetry
10 Comments
White Is A Color, Too It seems strange to have to say this After what that great man taught, Yet I have seen so much amiss That I fear we all forgot. I’m here to share an opinion, Which might be a...

A Poem on Euthanasia, by Ron L. Hodges

The Society
April 16, 2019
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry
13 Comments
  The Life That Is Not Life “I’m getting ready for my trip now.” —Aurelia Brouwers (who chose to be euthanized at age 29 in the Netherlands) You said it was the humane thing to do __For those...

A Poem for Former Greenpeace Activist Patrick Moore, by Bruce Dale Wise

The Society
April 11, 2019
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry, The Environment
5 Comments
District E for former Greenpeace Activist Patrick Moore by Eric Awesud Ble It always was at night when people simply disappeared. Names were removed from registers; such memories were seared. The...

A Pro-life Poem: ‘In the Garden’ and Other Poetry by Joe Tessitore

The Society
April 1, 2019
Beauty, Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry
10 Comments
In the Garden In Paradise there is a place where ruby-colored roses grace the trellises of precious pearl - so splendidly their buds unfurl! She and her Child oft’ wander here among the flowers they...

A Poem from the Soviet Union, by Ryhor Krushyna

The Society
March 24, 2019
Deconstructing Communism, Poetry, Translation
2 Comments
  Translated by Ihar Kazak At the door it seems I hear The stomping of evil strangers. This has been my fear for many a year And my former anxiety’s dangers. It’s an apparition in the...

‘The Black Children’ and Other Poetry by J.D. Graham

The Society
March 21, 2019
Beauty, Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Human Rights in China, Poetry
1 Comment
. The Black Children In China, until rather recently, each pair of parents was allowed one kid, according to the “one-child policy.” Some parents had another, which they hid. Unregistered, these kids are...

A Poem on New York’s Abortion Law, by Amy Foreman

The Society
March 12, 2019
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry
46 Comments
Room 402:  Gehenna Comes to New York (On Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Jan. 22,2019 repeal of New York’s Public Health Law § 4164)   Note:   “Room 402” does not refer to any specific event...

‘The Fiancé’ and Other Poetry by Sheri-Ann O’Shea

The Society
January 30, 2019
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Humor, Poetry
8 Comments
The Fiancé inspired by Anthony Trollope’s "Can you forgive her?" (1864-1865) Alice, he wants your money, honey. Alice, he wants your cash. He’d never ask you without it don’t doubt it – He’s...

‘Going Along to Get Along’ by Joseph S. Salemi

The Society
January 27, 2019
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Humor, Poetry
61 Comments
Dedicated to far too many of my contemporaries, and they know who the hell they are. I. I am the perfect poet— I strike a dainty pose. I sniff the air for floral scent And elevate my nose. I’m...

‘The Afternoon of Man’ and Other Poetry by Jeffrey Essmann

The Society
January 22, 2019
Beauty, Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry
7 Comments
The Afternoon of Man Fourteen or so, one autumn afternoon, my homework done and supper hours away, I scuffed along on sodden paths bestrewn with yellowed leaves in woods where I’d once played. Perhaps...

‘Tbilisi თბილისი’ by Ralph C. La Rosa

The Society
January 12, 2019
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry
7 Comments
(1976-1978) In Soviet Georgia, I feel linguistic shock. At first assuming residents speak Russian, I say Nyet, not Ara, igniting discussion of Moscow’s nagging, Russifying clock alarms, as predictable...

‘Time for the B.S.: Susie and Johnny Go to College’ by Amy Foreman

The Society
January 7, 2019
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Humor, Poetry
25 Comments
a sequel to “Let’s Take the Other Bus” Welcome, young friends, to this great university. I am your counselor, Dr. Diversity, here to advise you on all of your classes and campus life, brimming with...

‘Dirty Hands’ and Other Poetry by Connie Phillips

The Society
January 4, 2019
Beauty, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry
14 Comments
Dirty Hands on Communism’s evil specter The evil specter’s dirty hands Have soiled the windows to the world. It’s smeared them with the blood and tears Of millions killed throughout the...

‘Arise, You Bones’ and Other Poetry by Adam Sedia

The Society
January 1, 2019
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Human Rights in China, Poetry
15 Comments
Arise, You Bones “Come, spirit, from the four winds, and blow upon these slain, and let them live again.” –Ezechiel 37:9 Arise, you bones of millions, scattered far, Half-buried, all forgotten, that...

‘Happy Holidaze’ and Other Poetry by Joe Tessitore

The Society
December 24, 2018
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Humor, Poetry
7 Comments
Happy Holidaze Our holidays we sanitize. They don’t offend or stigmatize. In fact we made them squeaky clean, but what, by jingle, do they mean?   The Nutcracker: Waltz of the Flowers * A...

‘Penthouse Bolsheviks’ by Dylan Price

The Society
December 23, 2018
Deconstructing Communism, Poetry
5 Comments
  They look at you with contempt and sneer, A haughty air permeating there. "Equality" is their pernicious cheer; Floating up high on corrupted air. To battle for the poor, a...

‘The Chinese Bill of Rights’ and Other Poetry by C.B. Anderson

The Society
December 18, 2018
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Human Rights in China, Poetry
27 Comments
  The Chinese Bill of Rights In China, laws regarding human rights May keep a simple man awake at nights, Suspecting that a Mand'rin guten Morgen Might mean the harvest of a vital organ. Old Adolf...

‘Politician or Poet’ and Other Translations of Ryhor Krushyna’s Poetry

The Society
November 30, 2018
Beauty, Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry, Translation
8 Comments
Politician or Poet When in one’s soul the politician calls forth – The poet’s voice withers and comes to naught. And poems become a bedlam of propaganda Praising the party’s agenda. The poet’s...

‘To Chavistas’ and Other Poetry by John Gao

The Society
November 28, 2018
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry
4 Comments
To Chavistas You profit off the indignance of the poor just like the imperial loansharks you denounce, you’ve murdered trees and poisoned lakes and swore the water’s safe to drink then gloat to...

‘Cell Block Twenty-Nine’ and Other Poetry by David Watt

The Society
November 23, 2018
Beauty, Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Human Rights in China, Poetry
10 Comments
Cell Block Twenty-Nine I haven’t seen the sun for days, Nor felt Compassion’s gentle ways; My body’s weak, but courage stays, In Cell Block Twenty-Nine. They tell me “Falun Gong’s a...

‘The Cost of Higher Education’ by James A. Tweedie

The Society
November 14, 2018
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Human Rights in China, Poetry
7 Comments
  I am a university in the U.S. of A. Becoming more dependent on Red China every day. We seek out Chinese students for the money that they bring, While the Confucius Institutes keep...

‘Let’s Take the Other Bus’ by Amy Foreman

The Society
November 11, 2018
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Humor, Poetry
29 Comments
(A liberal-socialist primer for our youngest, most impressionable comrades) Note: 'take the other bus' is a slang term for homosexual behavior. Come gather round me, little ones: you bourgeois girls,...

‘The Ballerina’ and Other Poetry by Joe Tessitore

The Society
October 28, 2018
Beauty, Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry
33 Comments
The Ballerina Just before the break of day she woke from dreams of grand jeté and knelt beside her bed to pray. Like a feather, then she rose and slipped into her warm-up clothes to dance in silence...

‘So Says the Prof.’ by Steven Shaffer

The Society
October 7, 2018
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry
14 Comments
“Religion is an opiate of the masses,” So says the Prof. lecturing to his classes. “College used to be a carrier pigeon For this terrible thing called ‘religion.’ Where all were forced to swallow...

‘Gulag’ by Sam Gilliland

The Society
October 4, 2018
Beauty, Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry
7 Comments
For John McCain, Ernest C. Brace, & Alexander Solzhenitsyn I season my pen with the sonnet's blood, And do not reason with a moonless sky, Thus, in durance, we hearken to the wry Whisper of words from...

‘Two Poems on U.K. Immigration’ by Damian Robin

The Society
September 11, 2018
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Human Rights in China, Poetry, Terrorism
10 Comments
My Wife Is Clad in Cloth From Head to Foot My wife is clad in cloth from head to foot. How deep her eyes, how vast and sane her eyes. As we leave, I drink her clear brown eyes Then she walks behind me by...

‘Venezuelan Woes’ and Other Poetry by Bruce Dale Wise

The Society
September 3, 2018
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Human Rights in China, Poetry
6 Comments
(All poetry by Bruce Dale Wise) Venezuelan Woes by Lud Wes Caribee As Socialist experiment Venezuela sinks into far greater depths, a plunging country on the brink, Maduro, striving for an orderly...

‘I See a Friend’ and Other Poetry by Joseph Quintanilla

The Society
August 24, 2018
Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Human Rights in China, Poetry
9 Comments
I See a Friend I see a friend, pull up a stool to talk to this old stupid fool. Both he and I at an impasse and left upset like sharpened glass. Much wisdom spouts from this buck young as liquid warmth...

‘Past the Silence of Barbed Walls’ by Daniel Magdalen

The Society
August 15, 2018
Beauty, Deconstructing Communism, Human Rights in China, Poetry
11 Comments
This poem is dedicated in memoriam to Ms. Wang Lixuan. Because she was raising awareness about the repression of peaceful Falun Dafa practitioners in communist China, she was unlawfully arrested and detained,...
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  1. Joseph S. Salemi on ‘The New Headmasters’: A Poem on British Boarding Schools, by Lucius FalklandMay 10, 2025

    Let me add that one can also find information about caning and flogging in the British schools by reading Rudyard…

  2. Margaret Coats on Sonnets for Shakespeare’s Birthday, by Margaret CoatsMay 10, 2025

    Roy, forgive me for so long failing to acknowledge such a great compliment. It is so much appreciated that I…

  3. Margaret Coats on ‘Alive, Alive-o’: A Poem by Jeff EardleyMay 9, 2025

    Jeff, you deserve credit first of all for seeing the potential in "Cockles and Mussels." But that doesn't necessarily lead…

  4. Margaret Coats on ‘Ghost Town’ and Other Poetry by Martin RizleyMay 9, 2025

    "Ghost town of memories" in line 4 immediately suggests to me the ancient Greek "memory palace" technique for recalling large…

  5. C.B. Anderson on ‘The New Headmasters’: A Poem on British Boarding Schools, by Lucius FalklandMay 9, 2025

    And compare this idea to the old English folk song "The Bitter Withy". Also, there's a hint of "Spare the…

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