i ate a stack of flapjacks,
just tall enough to see over,
maple syrup smother,
butter dripping, reading
headlines, online
when i saw what he said
& thank goodness
i got no tv
or they woulda turned
to shoe leather in my mouth,
as i watched,
trying to choke down your
demo(hypo)cracy,
cause if you gonna be a leader
you gotta learn to take a bullet...
click clack
draw the hammer back
(hope its not a head shot)
...cause you know they're coming,
but instead you hide behind
some bureaucratic flunky, (& lies)
letting him fall on his sword
for you, flip flopping like a fish,
we all know stinks
from the head, anyway
& they'll give you a medal
call you hero instead yellow,
spineless, better mind this;
jellyfish is on the menu
and they eating you alive...
click clack
draw the hammer back...
This is for One Shot Wednesday. Write a poem & come join us. It begins at 5pm.
Is it just me or do some leaders seem to spend more time dodging bullets than giving straight answers? and is that really leading? hmm....
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108 comments:
Wow, you are amazing with words. I understand this as I watch things around the world including ours and see leaders hiding behind red tape.Alot of them are all the same, on the other hand I would not want their jobs for anything.....I think right and wrong becomes such a grey area that soon nobody knows or remembers what they really believe. very powerful post Brian.
Let's publish this in all newspapers! Would love to see the reactions!
Joy always,
Susan
Nice use of words here! I can't imagine what it would be like if politicians and even religious leaders lived out genuine accountability and even vulnerability...
wow. amen.
You sound a little angry today, Brian. I get that way when I read or watch the news, too. LOL. Liked how you described your sweet breakfast yet I left with a sour taste in my mouth.
Welcome to politics. Spin, spin, spin. Bob and weave. Don't let them pin you down on what you "believe". What do I have to say to get re-elected?
Loved your take on it man.
Regardless of the leader - they are all the same.
Oh so true...Thats why I dont keep up...When voting you pick the lesser of two evils...Politics are not interesting...I am not a fan of liars
Great one Brian. A lot of 'leaders' react instead of 'act'. This post could be written with our country in mind too - the demo(hypo)cracy bit! BTW I luuurve flapjacks - think I must make some tomorrow, lol.
i think it is more disappointment at times than anger...we get fooled into having high hopes for something different only to have the ice cream taste like the same crap when it gets in your mouth...
woops, that is me...brian...i am over at One Shot getting things set up for tonight...
Amen. The hopes dashed, again and again. I keep taking news fasts so I can keep my head above water. You sure know how to write, Brian. Sometimes I am a little astounded at your amazing ability.
LOL
You make everyone SMILE :))
Fantastic words !!
Stinking fish
hahaha.....
This has a fabulous edge to it.
Its started out so nice and sweet with the syrup and all and ended up sadly with the truth lol.Very interesting post Brain.
I thought that bullet proof vests were standard issue for politicians...but then again why carry that extra weight when you can simply duck and dodge...
the news blah is more an i can handled on the day in and day out...try to take only that which i need..at times that is difficult..so i write...bkm
Hmmm actually liked this despite my poetry phobia. I swear Politicians go to 'bullet dodging'school long before they are elected. No such thing as a straight shooter.
sometimes i feel just like that when i listen to the news - but could've never said it so well
Flip, flop! Yeah, that's what so many politicians do! Stinkin' fish!
This is powerful and edgy stuff.
Excellent.
I'm witcha brotha. In fact, just watching television sends me into a full on bad mood. That's why I haven't had television programming for 8 years and the more I go without, the more I hate that it exists. Great post, as usual:)
Well- I keep away from that as much as I can... but you have expressed it so wisely- witty words!
I think maybe you shoulda been eating WAFFLES instead?
(Hope you used REAl maple syrup!)
A great poke at politics, Brian!
Excellent images pulling your everyday together with the world that bombards us with hypocrisy so thinly veiled, so obvious so disappointing. Thank you for this work, Brian.
There is not one single politician I trust from any party!
I swear I feel like that with NJs Governor... Hes an idiot!!!!! Everymorning I read something else I loose my appetite ....
Fantastic poem! It's funny because most leaders are the same. It is the people underneath that take the fall. I will always keep this at the forefront of ny mind when I am (hopefully) a leader within the organization I work at.
Great One Shot... I'd love to see the look on some politicians (and their backers) faces after reading this. Love and Light, Sender
See, this is why I hate politics, and don't watch the news. Our world is totally messed up. But you wrote about it very well :-) Power and passion in that piece.
Brian, I could not even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this one.......Awesome!
Brian,
Love how you call the politician out on being a coward... better mind this, jellyfish is on the menu
well that's what's being served. :)
Great poem, I really enjoyed it.
a bittersweet tale friend, loved it :)
Sometimes displacing a bit of anger is good for the soul. Great piece, B.
jellyfish is on the menu
and they eating you alive...
click clack
draw the hammer back...
I dig the way this sounds and the way it feels when I read it out loud! I felt anger in the words, to the point that my stomach gripped in a ball for a moment...like a kid when someone is going to get in trouble.
Your skills are stellar!
Whoa. This is a whole new Brian. That headline must have been a doozey. Excellent, my friend.
Great and truthful poem!
A striking piece, Brian. The power and force of your words is wonderful, and the poem itself is a delight to read. In truth, this is the way of politics - it always has and, I fear, always will be.
Sweet and sour reality..great poem Brian!
sam i fear the same...
patti...i break it out every once in a while...smiles.
headlines online
i like that
a one shot bullet
Politics in the air, stink so hot and putrid, it travels to all our noses at once.
What's up with us that we can't sweep away this mess?
It's all rotten and stinky as palms get greased and citizens get taken for a ride!
Loved the tone of this piece!
TOO BAD!!!
TOO SAD!!!
It seems you have hit the nail right on its head.
TOO BAD!!!
TOO SAD!!!
PG
Wow Brian first you made me hungry for flapjacks then you got me feeling all patriotic about the bureaucratic hypocrisy, loved how you weaved your words and made me feel like i was in Glen Beck's rally haha...can't stand him, great oneshot :)
Great to read some pointed social commentary! Thanks. - Bill
Great Change of pace Son...
Leading ... but right on, as usual. Daniel pretty much sums up my thoughts on the matter.
Dodging bullets does not equate to LEADERSHIP. Nope...definitely NOT.
UGH! Politics! THEY STINK!
Amen! I love this Brian. Your words are powerful. XX
I hear ya...well said.
WELL..i m not so much into politics Brian..but i extremely enjoyed your writing! way too good..excellent one shot!
Dude, seriously is there nothing you cant right? awesome
awesome Brian
and whats your favorite song???
):)(:(
They don't dodge bullets;
They slither away or
float in effervescent
images of themselves.
Liked this, Brian.
Around the world, we feel this keenly. Trying to understand, past understanding their failure to understand.
Thank you for putting it straight up!
oh please dont lump me with glenn beck...ack. smiles.
alexandra...probably Black by Pearl Jam...also love the Once soundtrack currently...and always fall back on U2 songs...have a pretty eclectic taste in music from heavy to classic...
OOOH I like it I like it! Yes, you pull the hammer back to the head! They're all crooks, criminals, and con artists in my estimation.
Rick
Fabulous! God, if only our leaders could see and understand this. So true, Brian. Angry words, but true and powerful.
Happy One Shot!
Maybe we should limit every president to just one term so they would use their time to lead instead of campaign for the next election.
When you're a rich and famous writer...you're buying dinner.
:-)
Powerful!
Warm Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
Right you are! So sad, but so true.
Bittersweet but oh so true Brian...you have outdone yourself with this one! Needs to be published!! Much love x
If their lips are moving, their definitely lying. Nice one Brian.
best one I've heard so far.
jellyfish, ha.
Dianne
You have combined two dangerous things in such a beautiful marriage of words.;)
Congratulation on your POTW mention with one of your former post, that was well deserved.;)
xoxo
You caught the feeling, grabbed it by the throat, actually. Politics! Even Downunder!
Great poem, absolutely love the click clack
draw the hammer back
bit!
CJ xx
Strong writing about a vexed question. How do you please all the people all the time? I'm with cinner. 'I would not want their jobs for anything!'
Graceful outrage, with good flow. Excellent work. :)
a different style but it worked so well for you...great job..i am woken to the news that Blair has said in his memoirs that Brown would have been a disaster as the PM...and yet he gave him the job, unvoted....i think Blair should be charged with treason if he knew brown couldnt do it..yep i am rambling but that what a good strong poem does..it encourages a rant of thought and emotion..and you certainly achieved that..cheers pete
Yes, I agree with Diva Girl. THey are all the same. Some do more than others. Some do things that aren't appealing. Like start wars based on lies, while others pass bills that some don't like.
Some will ever be happy.
nope. not just you. i think most politicians are in it for the perks and power...even if it doesn't start out that way.
Strong stuff ...
Strong stuff ...
Nicely done -- click, clack!
It comes down to integrity. Few people in the public eye have it, or stand behind it. It's hard to watch my oldest as he's been interested in the political doings ever since the last election. He already knows what a back biting shark fest it is, and openly sees the disallusion people have with their governing bodies....
Now you need to write one
about the uninformed voters who keep
voting their own intersts back in
click clack
great sound
Powerful piece.
It's not you Brian, I used to work for those...As the Wind blows and you know, they call it compromise...I call it weak! the only agenda politicians should ever have is World Peace...Sure they say..(if nothing else works)
Sooooo much time and money wasted every day. Politics.
Unfortunately it seems most people in leadership (I won't say leaders) spend the majority of their time dodging and weaving.
You have such a way with words (I know, I've said that a million times, right?). This really should be seen by many, many eyes. I only wish the people who needed to see things like this would "get" them.
This poem has such movement and rhythm. Excellent work.
Cheers,
Jen
Hi Brian, not much into politics and all, but do love the flapjacks, butter and syrup. Hungry now.
It's absolutely not just you. Politics is maddening and frustrating and I hardly ever think we get "real" honest answers from any of them!!
We need a complete turnover, Democrats and Republicans. Term limits is the answer. I am such a dreamer.
this is the third time I read this, but don't think I ever commented. I just love how you use words to paint a picture. Politicians are so frustrating...I don't think there is an honest one out there
Oh, I tend to blame us the public more. In the UK at the time of the election when ever a party tried to talk about the cuts their polls fall so they fall back to efficiency and waste. Or when a politician changes a line because of listen we say U-turn and weak government. I can say with certainty that Cameron will be as hated as Blair, Major etc when he leaves office because we scapegoat them. On the other hand, I love watching the skilled politician who plays the game with a twinkle in his eye such as Michael Heseltine. Thanks for dropping by to read my poem. Hope your week goes well
Awesome. And I totally agree!
Wow! 90 comments. This one made an impression one way or another on a lot of people. I agree...if you're gonna lead, you better be able to take a little lead. :)
Love the way you juxtapose something as yummy as flapjacks smothered in maple syrup with what follows - the emphasis this adds to what the poem is saying. Also:
demo(hypo)cracy, as well as the rhythm and alliteration of:
click clack
draw the hammer back
A thought-provoking post.
i agree with mama zen. the edge to this is makes it pop, or click clack.
which leader did you have in mind when writing this?
Oh, wow. From flapjacks to jellyfish. I need to read this again. So many word twists and flip flops.
I really liked this poem, the use of music in the lines was well done. If I can be so bold as to say the demo(hypo)cracy word(s) didn't work for me. I know what you were getting at; I myself have wrestled with the same kind of issue, successfully or no only the reader can say, but it was a sudden halt to the music when reading it.
Excellent poem. I must say it is hard to find a good leader that doesn't hide behind others.
Bob and weave...duck and cover!! That is politics today!! I agree with Susan...let's publish this!!
Good one Brian!
Hugs
SueAnn
well said, Brian... In my opinion, the term "political leader" has lost meaning quite a long time back! It's a bunch of people that play the game of War, without lifting a finger themselves.. it's just yackety yack!!!
I hope that changes... but then, "let's be realistic" is what I tell myself!
Loved this poem, B... enjoyed how you blended it all well into yummy flapjacks.. made even the gruesome sound delicious!
you really hit a nerve with this one Brian, as I see by the many comments that came your way....you can see why the Tea Party is gaining momentum..not that they won't also be as slippery in being accountable. Sigh.
WOW WOW WOW, i love the flow and rhyme, wrapped into a thought provoking content of the news! Brilliant.
Oh i responded to your comment btw about the 'crystal glass'.
Glad I landed up on your blog!
I like what you write.
Here is what I offer:
pitching forward
Wow you are getting political on us Bri
I read this Tuesday night then got pulled away (quite literally)
and never commented
what a one shot
Moonie smiles
A deft insightful portrait-- you are the consummate storyteller Brian!
http://mairmusic.wordpress.com/
Nice one Brian. I think that there is so much confusion everywhere and even more misinformation.
A politician is a politician.
wow-saying it like it is...you should run for office.
a leader has to be clear, and hold himself responsible for the well being of the people. it is more than protecting his or her position in power.
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