the television is on,
showing another heartbreaking picture
of an oil covered pelican,
struggling against the tendrils
just dying to fly,
trying to survive,
stirring outrage inside,
yet you fill the coffers
of the men who did this
with each tank you fill,
claiming no blood on your hands
...and i am no better hypocrite.
Tell a story in 55 words. Give it a try or just read more, go see g-man.
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119 comments:
I am a hypocrite as well. I would be willing to go back to bicycles and horse drawn carriages. Maybe life will return to a simpler way. Or at least a better way.
Like how your title fits in so well with the theme: we're all accomplices.
masterful 55.
You have stayed current
and I am sure animals, plants, and every being that suffered from oil leakage will be grateful for your kind mention today!
Man, I too am guilty, and I don't like it one bit.
Conspicious consumption is the modern way, hopefully this will at least wake us all up.
Great 55.
Kat
Every day that I ride my bike to and from work, I look down at the tires- petroleum based- and shake my head. It's a vicious cycle. I'd ride the neighbor's horse... but she'd be pissed. The horse, that is.
powerful and eye opening!
i hear you Ti
we have created
quite the dependency...
You are right - we must stop pointing the angry finger at BP and look at ourselves. BP produces the supply, we create the demand.
(Mind you we have been led by the nose into a society where artificial needs/wants have been created. Chicken/egg disputes follow, while Earth cries.
True enough, Brian.....but we can try to slowly, slowly at least cut down on the use, right?
Cold, hard truth. We are slaves to oil even as it ravages our planet. My 55 is HERE after midnight Pacific Time.
Caught in a tough place aren't we? Hubby and I have cut back on using the car to such a small amount of gas per month now but how it hits us hard to have to buy that gas. I say thank you for writing about this horrendous disaster.
very powerful.
nice piece, Brian. I never thought about being a hypocrite, but you are exactly right. I wish somehow we could change the dependence we have on oil...I wish I knew how.
Very powerful Brian, we are all guilty to some extent. I hope someday for a simpler way as Syd said. take care.
Don't buy BP!!
Burn E-85....I do!
But I see you stance, and I appreciate it.
Excellent 55 My Friend...
Thanks for playing, thanks for the commentary, and have a Kick Ass Week-End....G
you write of a quandry we all share, and I like the natural flow, like conversation, but holding so much more.
http://mairmusic.wordpress.com/
No hiding from this one, we all use oil and its derivitives in some form.
An awakening!:) Love your work:)and thanks so much for your comments x
We need a super hero to sort out this mess.
Oh God Brian NOW I HAVE GUILT>>>>>
We have all become so spread out with our suburban lives that we have succumbed to this as our normal. Although it may take some time, I believe many of us
wish for a different way than our contribution of harm to those precious creatures of the air and sea. We can start today by condensing trips to use less gas, then ride our bikes or walk to nearby places and consider moving to a closer knit community where goods are close enough not to have to depend on gas consumption. I love the pelicans! Heartspell
well done.
and yes, aren't we all lovely hypocrites.
xxx
You are right, of course. Then I think, why not boycott all the BP gas stations across the US? But, aren't they franchised? Wouldn't that hurt the little guy? I mean, I know eventually it would hurt BP, but what about the middle guy?
Shocking to see the oil spills etc. thought provoking little pieces speak volumes - thatis the power of a poem.
I'm in the club too. What's going on is heartbreaking and a total shame. Ugh.
jj
We all should of been more consious of our use of gas a very long time ago.....if lessons are learned this could work out to be a real teaching moment and some good can come from all this...Hugs
I can hardly bear to watch the news any more..
i try not to watch the news. it's too depressing.
Damn, this is good.
Guilty as charged.
We are all guilty. I have not followed the details of the leak closely but it must be a leak where they just cannot close off. Like how to put a cap back on a geyser.
Your 55 is powerful.
oh no...i'm guilty too...i love ur poem..eye-opener
We are all hypocrites. We're addicted to oil and can't see ourselves weaned from it.
Great 55!
I am no better hypocrite.
do not cast stones, they say...
Brian--excellent post and point--what if we ALL stopped driving and buying gas for one day? happy friday!!
ugh, YES. I have never felt such immediate and intense agreement with almost anything. Amazingly done
HI. I'm here to play catch-up. Life is busy. This is a great first for me to read. I love that you stay up to date with current events, too. That whole situation is completely ridiculous. . . great poem, sir!
Each day is a new beginning. Let us hope all will be safe soon. :) Have a fun Friday. I am back now. :)
Ack
Very well done, Brian. Something I have been trying to put into a 55 but couldn't.
Ah yes, the whole oil dependency thing. This is why The Engineer is so into alternate energy. He's in his lab right now working on a new wind mill generator design. Your 55 spoke to me.
I'm definitely a hypocrite as well. And when I see the wildlife, I am also ashamed.
Powerful 55, Brian.
Time to get the bicycle out. In the last few years I've seen some very odd cyclists out there. I fit right in.
You're right. We are all accountable in some way.
sorry if i am heaping the guilt...just read enough out rage this week...and thought about it while i was pumping gas...and it just hit me...
I really like the message of your poem. We are all hypocrites for complaining about this disaster and yet we still put money in BP's pocket. The line about dying to fly is great. This can be interpreted in multiple ways and leaves an interesting thought in the readers head. Excellent poem!
I can only hope something positive will not only be brought to light
but actually INSPECTED/REGULATED
Sending Light and positive energy to the Gulf's water and critters and all of us bemuddled two-leggeds, am I.
I would like to think that this would serve as a wake up call, but the cynic in me doubts it very much.
true that. it's an even heavier sickness feeling the fact that we have no alternative way to live. healthy perspective, brother. props to you.
A REAL dilemma in this age...and well said. Thanks!
Just Say'n
Brian
Yes your poem is poignant and shockingly true. We all need to put on our coats of compassion and walk to the sea.
Joanny
Good poem, tragic situation.
It does make me really angry to see the way the ordinary person is manipulated. This is basically what has happened: "Today's luxuries are tomorrow's necessities" - I don't know where the quote comes from, but how true it is!
nice shout out and brilliant 55 as usual...
You raise an important point in this. Excellent.
Very poignant; I can not longer bear either to hear or see about it anymore, thus ignoring it makes me a hypocrite too.
Have a lovely Friday:)
xo
http://theonlycin.wordpress.com/2010/06/18/friday-flash-55-words-3/
a new poet tried 55...
you may be curious about it...
It breaks your heart mate, all those poor birds suffering, BP have a lot to answer to, great reminder we take everything for granted.
thank you for this healthy needed portion of guilt feeling. Sure puts things in perspective
It does make me really angry to see the way the ordinary person is manipulated. The way the world works now is: "Today's luxuries are tomorrow's necessities" - I don't know where the quote comes from, but how true it is!
This is so sad and heart wrenching Brian.
When transportation technology no longer depends on oil for power, then we won't be hypocrites anymore.
The unfortunate pelican's picture is paraded daily on our television screens.
Thank you Brian, it needed to be said. We are as horrified here as you are in the States.
No use crying over spilt milk, or oil...
Combining errands into fewer trips makes me feel a little better but not much.
Oh, too true. We are all complicit -- the junkies to Big Oil's pushers.
Oh, too true. We are all complicit -- the junkies to Big Oil's pushers.
powerfully poignant
excellent job Brian!! another sad part of this is that we all acknowledge how guilty we are, some of us will even really feel guilty yet I doubt that many will do a single thing to change things ... how come that with all the technology we have nowadays we are not able to do better; I fear for our Mother Earth and what left we will leave for our children and their children ... :-(
Brit jaw drops, fair comment made about BP. The CEO and Chairman can go tomorrow( believe me they will) but will the USA appetite for oil that drives the deep sea explorations? Tip toes away as suspects not the best time to rise it... My 55
I know!! It is just so very sad!
no need to tip toe away john...it is about the US thirst for oil and how we can finger point all we want but we are accessories in this whole mess...easy for it to be th oher guy...because when it is us it means we are the ones that have to change....
I admire the way your posts are so relevant and touching...it is indeed a sad time and your post echoes this perfectly!
Yes, but unfortunately, oil is something our entire economy depends on. And will be for quite a while, even while we explore and develop other methods of energy.
I for one (and it looks from your comments as though I'm the only one) don't want to go back to the horse and buggy.
i hear you barbara...i dont think the horse and buggy is a concievable option...and yes we will be tied to it fr a time to come...we made decisions long ago that we reap the spoils from. i think one of the frustratign things is in our dependence we have lef tourselves with little options...though i do hope someone finds one...
Ouch and well put, you're right of course, we'd reduce the need, we'd start walking, we'd get healthier but time has us in a tight grip...and we don't have time to think about it too long, soon a time of action, and that scares me
All of us who run a car are hypocrites. Fabulously true 55!
Its definitely time to start with the bikes more. The pictures from the area are heartbrkeaing.
As if my liberal guilt didn't do me in enough. smiles. This piece is very true. I found myself watching the news and thinking similar thoughts. And seeing the people who rely on the economy not getting hit out there saying that we need to keep drilling.. well, it made me wonder why we keep going in the same direction instead of looking for new ways and alternate forms of energy. Poor pelicans indeed. Wonderful 55. A masterpiece as always.
55 Flash Fiction Friday: Silly Rabbit... Sarcasm Is For Kids
Theme Thursday: Camera
Oh it would be so nice to go back to horses and bikes. Of course, I for one vote for steam power. We could power everything via water. And recycle it, use it over and over again. Hmmm...
You asked how the yoga and writing were going. The writing is actually going well. I started writing the other day and ended up spending the whole day at work (between phone calls) working on a new story. We'll see how it goes. Thanks for asking!
Happy Friday,
Jen
I wittnessed a picture similar to the pelican on World News Tonight. You just feel defeated at these scenes, and as you pointed out, we are too dependent of our own making. I think another thing that burns me up is the lack of true responsibilty that BP wants to take....I shake my head in sorrow and disbelief.....
Actually you've given the masses something to think seriously about.
I've followed you for some time now and take this opportunity to invite you to follow me as well if you wish.
We all have some of the H word in us. I hate realizing that about myself, but there it is.
It has been dreadful, the news reports are getting worse over here.
CJ xx
Ah yes. Opening our eyes here and we see ourselves in the mess and confusion.....
Sad and only too real. What a world we live.
http://jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com/2010/06/18/the-perfect-poet-award-4-thursday-poets-rally-week-23/
Pinklady nominated you...
A war in Iraq not only did not help with more oil, but ends the country in huge debts, ...not to mention millions of civilians who are killed...touchy issue, even the president and the united nation could not solve the problem...
I would step back and relax,
However, I appreciate this
WHITE HOUSE WORTHY 55.
Enjoy being a poet who cares less about politics...
Beautiful Brian, thank you for this one. It's tragic! Hits Home!!I can smell the oil when I am in my yard, I am 3 miles from! Keeping my eyes peel wide open for the helpless wildlife. Catch 22 .. buy oil they can pay us for our livelyhood they have destroyed..don't buy bp oil.. they file bankrupt...Scary
So insightful...as always. We are all so dependent - I don't see the end in sight soon. Have a wonderful weekend.
Nice post. It is a truly awful thing happening in the gulf. At this point it is hard for us as consumers to change this oil thirsty culture though. Before I get hate mail, I live in rural america. You cannot walk or ride your bike where you need to go. Things are really spread out.
Very sad, but true. I too am an accomplice to this...
Amen! Powerful post, Brian! We all have blood on our hands.
the buck stops here too...I remember old "Iron Eyes" with his single tear as that car speed by throwing out trash in the "Keep America Beautiful Campaign" Some 40 years now after that..the Earth still groans..
Very current, relevant and painful.
At least I have been boycotting BP...
you are a star! Love this and your creativity knows no boundaries.
i don't have a car, since i'm poor,
but since i take taxis to work all the time i feel guilty too.
there was an oil spill in our country a few years ago and it was terrible.
i love going to the beach... i couldn't help imagining if i were a pelican...
55's a great idea, i'd like to try it out.
my problem, aside from the oil killing the wildlife, and the harmful effects to the economy of the infected areas, is the lack of humanity by those that could have stopped it from happening. those individuals let their own personal greed rise above nature and the lives of others.
at least we still have karma.
Boycott BP.
This is one of the most poignant pieces of yours I have yet read...its striking beauty is all the more powerful because the horrors you encapsulate in your acutely crafted words are an tragedy and a truth. And the last line; that is such an illustration of wisdom and understanding, one which many would rather ignore, but which you have the strength to acknowledge.
Reminds me of when Mel Gibson filmed his own hands nailing Jesus to the cross in "The Passion of the Christ" - surely many of us have 'oil on our hands' in this instance.
CONVICTING! I despise the WHOLE MESS and the devastation of it all. I am too...A HYPOCRITE! I need to leave the Limo in the garage and ride my bicycle!
OUTRAGEOUS!
Aw. An arrow through the heart.
Sometimes 'hypocrisy' has us over a barrel!
Excellent 55 for this horrible time for the U. S. and especially for already beaten and battered Louisiana and other oil threatened Southern states. As an RN who went to nursing school in New Orleans, I have been heartbroken during my recent visits to see how little they have recovered from the horrors of Katrina, now this new onslaught threatens their economy even more, their fishing industy and the precious ecosystems along the Gulf coast. Shame on the petroleum industry!
http://jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com/2010/06/14/the-celebrate-poet-of-may-award-nominations/
welcome to vote,
you automatically earned one vote because your link in included, when you vote for your favorite poets (1 to 20), then you get another vote for yourself....
thank you for the attention.
The deadline is Sunday!
a powerful message hidden in this poem..indeed an eye opener..wish some little steps would bring a change!
Sad and true!!! Our economy and lives are based on the oil!!
Sheesh
Hugs
SueAnn
You make a point to the oil spill and i thought i would let you know, i DON'T drive. i bike :)
That's strong and so pertinent - will we wake up???
And it's complicated because some BP stations are independent small businesses. Still, I can't make myself stop at one.
O Dear, An Oil Slick! I have witnessed one on the Indian Ocean!
Oddly enough, I have always hated BP gas. It makes our cars run with weird backfire jumps. No support from me!
Ouch! Too true...
I just cant watch. I cant. But I know what is happening.
We all need to drive less.
Nice to meet you.
:)
Brutally and painfully true. Good job, Brian.
What can we do?? It's just horrible, and oh so sad. I hope we can make some global changes for the better out of this disaster.
a rude truth, which very few can deny.
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