Photo of a water tower with peeling paint; this angle reminds me of a rocket. Originally I was planning to write a poem for Poetry Thursday based on this photo and a line from Billy Joel's The Piano Man: "...with some money in her pocket, she's a rocket on the Fourth of July."
This morning I went to the post office and was confronted with the Bush administration's latest assault on privacy and personal freedoms. Yes, even in France! And I became "fired up." As rockets are fired - typically in celebration of freedom - I decided the photo would work, despite the change of focus in my poem.
Fired up! Let's roll
It's our way or the highway
showdown's high noon at Dodge
the gunslinger and his foe are shadow puppets
filled with false bravado
each believing their own publicity
Their realities are not ours
an important distinction
but not to them
They won't listen to dissent
determined to stay the course
no matter the costs in lives and dollars
The emperor has no clothes
but his court jesters weave and bob
painting the scenes just so
no one can see behind the facade
focus that harsh light anywhere
but firmly on the truth
Throw up smoke screens
to avoid transparency
Make up new laws
to get around old ones
Ignore other mandates
that are now inconvenient
Dither about little things
then miss the point entirely
while real problems go unsolved
Immersed in endless debate
with a man as stubborn as a mule
a nation sways between impotence and fury
The politics here are certainly fired up to get their own way. I can't wait for it to be over. So tired of the smake and mirrors routine. Great poem, I love the line about the emepror's new clothes. So fitting.
Posted by: Jone | 24 March 2007 at 15:25
(Tara, if a previous comment from "cliff" posted, please delete it b/c it's from me and he and my politics vastly differ. He couldn't comment on my blog, emailed me and asked me to post his comment, so I had his ID info in the typepad, predone box and didnt' realize it.)
Onto your powerful, superb poem. Strong writing that I also happen to agree with. Well-crafted! Love the reference to the Emperor's clothes...
That pink peeling paint photo sure grabs one's eye. Great response to the PT prompt.
Posted by: Gel | 23 March 2007 at 13:05
It does look like a rocket - I like the play on the words "fired up". I have more to say but will leave it for the next post
Posted by: Catherine | 23 March 2007 at 06:56
"a nation sways between impotence and fury" - You hit it right on the mark! When I try to write about it all I manage is &*&%^&&&***@- you know, THOSE words. Well done.
Posted by: Kimberley McGill | 23 March 2007 at 06:31
Bravo, Tara! A nation sways on the precipice, I fear. Reminds me of Nero fiddling away while Rome burns...tragic.
Posted by: Becca | 23 March 2007 at 02:01
A bunch of flim-flam men for sure! They like teasing us with a toy in one hand while doing something completely wretched with the other!
Great poem!
Posted by: Regina Clare Jane | 22 March 2007 at 20:20
Tara. Well done. I would add, "by the rocket's red glare". Solutions not conflicts.
Posted by: Brian | 22 March 2007 at 20:08
I can feel the fury! I like the line about believing their own publicity.
Posted by: Kamsin | 22 March 2007 at 19:49
Tara,
As inimitable as ever. You wear your outrage well. But we all know the problem...we need solutions!!!
Hugs, xo ;-)
rel
Posted by: rel | 22 March 2007 at 19:48
Interesting read. I like the political angle to this poem. Poetry is at its best when served hot.
Posted by: Beaman | 22 March 2007 at 19:42
The last three lines speak out for most nations. This has an universal appeal.
Posted by: gautami | 22 March 2007 at 19:02
"Emperor has no clothes" was a perfect line. I was thrown by your last two posts, seeing it all together like that certainly gets your attention. Well writted Tara! HUGS
Posted by: Tammy | 22 March 2007 at 18:39
Well said, Tara. Kudo's to you for turning your anger into an artform. I'm so fed up with all of this fear-mongering. Grrr...bah humbug!
Posted by: tinker | 22 March 2007 at 18:33