Japanese dish at a boutique on the Ile Saint Louis, Paris.
The Poetry Thursday prompt is to write a funny poem, but I wasn't in the mood. Here's a rough first draft with a flash of political humour:
Update at midnight Thursday Paris time: Paul Wolfowitz has resigned from the World Bank! Also, Senate Democrats are seeking a no-confidence vote in Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
Despite mounting criticism
they simply won't go
determined to stay; keep the status quo
even when everyone around them knows
confidence is virtually zero.
Hard to see the funny side
when ethics made to look bad;
Wolfowitz is still there
and that makes me mad:
his arrogance riding roughshod.
Why does Gonzales still have his job
when his deputy and all those attorneys are gone?
Why should Olmert keep his post
when his defense minister's thrown
out on his laurels?
Why is Scooter Libby going to jail
when Cheney and Rove created the trail
in a deliberate rush to fell
a CIA agent whose husband wouldn't tell
their lies to hasten war?
How do people in power
get away with misdeeds?
Whatever happened to honourable creeds?
Where lies the truth in attempts to deceive?
Is there a single word said we can really believe?
Who's to blame for these calamities;
where does the buck stop anymore?
It keeps getting passed from door to door
as the dollar sinks to the currency floor;
how long can we stay afloat?
Faith in government at an all-time low
it's no longer on merit, it's who you know.
How many times must we hear Tony Snow
spinning strange yarns to the gullible press
who need to think more and listen less?
WELL done!!
Posted by: awareness | 18 May 2007 at 23:26
William Carlos Williams was wrong--you can get the news from poems!
All so true! Don't know why Gonzales has not resigned. At least Wolfowitz is out. I wonder who will be the next Bush-Cheney apointee to be hit with a scandal. When it happens, I hope you will update your poem or treat us to more of your on-target commentaries.
Posted by: January | 18 May 2007 at 19:19
You're right - nothing funny about this. Strong and to the point, Tara. xx, JP
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 18 May 2007 at 16:44
It has been this way for such a long time that I don't remember when it was good. Your political poem was really honest and right on. The last stanza really tied it all together and put the message up in the forefront so you couldn't miss it. I also enjoyed the rhyme scheme.
Posted by: clockworkchris | 18 May 2007 at 13:06
Political news seems similar all over the world. Or maybe we are a bunch of cynicals?
I linked your blog to mine. Hope you don't mind.
Posted by: gautami | 18 May 2007 at 08:43
Amen. Not much more to say. Pry open a few eyes?
Posted by: ren.kat | 18 May 2007 at 08:28
Oh that wasn't Laini ! (I'm on her computer and didn't realize she was all logged in!) BUt it was me!
Posted by: Alexandra | 18 May 2007 at 07:16
I was so, so happy to get this news too about Wolfowitz Tara. Its about time, yes? And yet, we get story after story of GOP scandals and no impeachment! I'm amazed!
Posted by: Laini | 18 May 2007 at 07:14
I was so, so happy to get this news too about Wolfowitz Tara. Its about time, yes? And yet, we get story after story of GOP scandals and no impeachment! I'm amazed!
Posted by: Laini | 18 May 2007 at 07:13
No. Not funny times.
I wish, I wish, I WISH a leader would arise for us. Someone who sparks our hearts and confidence. Some who is solid and real and good...Someone a little like my grandpa!
I wonder if a person like that would be allowed to rise so high, without being eaten by the shitheads.
:/
Posted by: Amber | 18 May 2007 at 06:28
I think humor can be very devastating (and sometimes necessary) in political poetry. I think it's one way for us to void the bile, and isn't there way too much of it just now?
Posted by: Jim | 18 May 2007 at 03:58
Tara,
You always find the words to say what's in your heart. Well said.
We need a leader.....Any suggestions?
rel
Posted by: rel | 17 May 2007 at 23:36
I should qualify the online "rage" I spoke of: One tour of all the comments of Huffington Post makes my point. People are posting very angry, enraged comments on all these news stories, and rightly so.
Posted by: Colette | 17 May 2007 at 23:29
In the 1960s people took to the streets, demonstrated, went as far as civil disobedience. Today, apathy is rampant. That's why these people get away with it. No matter how much rage I see online, it doesn't matter, because only actions matter: demanding of one's elected officials to stop dithering and take matters in hand.
I do love your new banner!
Posted by: Colette | 17 May 2007 at 23:28
We talk about corruption in all these other places when it's right on our own front step!
Bravo, tara- bravo...
Posted by: Regina Clare Jane | 17 May 2007 at 22:20
I am wondering all the same things! :(
Posted by: pepek | 17 May 2007 at 19:35