Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Repost - In the Mourning


Kerry, at Imaginary Garden with Real Toads, invites us to write a poem as an open letter.  
I wrote the following two years into Obama's first term.  Nothing has changed.  
Certainly not for Bradley.


In the mourning.

You won me over when we met;
Your silver tongue and golden speech
Filled me with hope, a sense that change
Was really there, within our reach.

But now in the cold and morning light,
I see that it was but lust
And not providing a warm embrace
As a loving engagement must.

Two years on and we have more wars
And Guantanamo is still supported,
Bradley rots in a solitary cell
And cluster bombs are still exported.

Desire was there for better times
But moral issues have been evaded.
Israel continues to flout the law
And sovereign countries have been invaded.

My eyes are open to what I’ve lost,
It’s tomorrow and reality is dawning;
In black, I regret what could have been
And I don’t respect you, in the mourning.


---
© J Cosmo Newbery 2013
---


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31 comments:

  1. i think there is def a growing disillusion for being sold change that in the end looks a lot like the same old same old...while in some areas we have moved, in many it is much of the same...

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  2. ah... think we've all been there one way or another... nice capture

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  3. Here we see the art of poetry and the freedom of expression we would expect from an open letter skilfully combined. I found your middle stanza to be particularly hard-hitting, and applaud the wordplay on morning-mourning.

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  4. isn't it awful how change just isn't any more, I've grown weary of the political promises which never come through, all the parties are as bad as each other.

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  5. The mixed meaning of mourning is a powerful device. You use actual events to create foundation and depth, yet still manage poetic integrity. Nicely penned.

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  6. This is so well written. I like the play on words and the intensity I feel when reading this. The imagery in the first stanza is strong, and the ending is powerful all on its own. Very nicely done.

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  7. Ah, the disillusionment of morning/mourning. What possibilities are imagined by the vague promises of that all-encompassing word 'change'!

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  8. A seduction which left scars (or heavy bruises at best). Love it - thank you.

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  9. I like the second paragraph as it can be applied for many things. (And I never liked Obama) but still feel for your disappointment.

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  10. It's very difficult to change things when the opposition blocks anything and everything.

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  11. Well written .. I love the way you used thoughtful restraint when describing your feelings. I agree with Sue ... it is virtually impossible to get anything accomplished with all of the infighting and partisan politics. Hoping for improvement, not holding my breath.

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  12. Beautifully written. I think Obama was and is sincere - but the other party holds more seats and resists everything he would like to do. His hands are tied. Literally.

    I love the word "mourning" as you have used it.

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  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  14. well worth the repost and unfortunately still all too applicable good one cheers

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  15. Disappointment and death. These things are always with us. I admire your courage to prose-itize the political. LOL..Brave and skillful. thanks.

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  16. Replies
    1. That was a reality check. Great write, Cosmo.

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  17. I feel the sentiment strongly and I have some beef to mull over on the topic, too. His last speech is SO contradictory to what is actually happening regarding our nuclear position and actions. Excellent piece.

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  18. I concur and have felt this loss for some time. More wars, largest income gap in modern time, more prisoners, more secret torture, more drones, more bank corruption...to think that obstructionists in the house of reps are the cause of all of this is to ignore facts in front of our faces. Thanks for daring to touch this topic. ~peace, Jason

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  19. how do we look beyond obama
    how do we do this:

    Filled me with hope, a sense that change
    Was really there, within our reach.

    Democracies seem to be in trouble, the mechanics do not work on behalf of communities or ecologies, and yes manning, and war, dromes and torture. ndaa undoes law from policing. very scary.

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  20. Whoa. This is so good. So very good.

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  21. We were sold change, but received recycled...great poem!

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  22. A very apt use of an open letter as a means to air your doubts and scepticism. Freedom of expression is a powerful tool to bring about change. A very strong write.

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  23. Disappointment dictates.

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