Sunday, September 27, 2015

829 - It's a mess.


Sunday Whirl (Wordle #218) presents a list of words
that we must incorporate in a writing piece.  

The words this week are:
trump, bust, level, kick, dressed, mess,
exists, music, spin, visit, system, sighs


It’s a mess.

Whichever way you look at it, we’re a mess,
Our planet’s showing signs of high distress,
It can hardly be surprising 
That the ocean level’s rising
When we say that more pollution is progress.

[aside] Science exists, whether you deny it or not.

Whichever way you look at it, we’re a mess,
Be it Christian, Muslim, Baptist or the rest:
Fundamentalists are prevailing
And our education failing
As the hateful lies they spin are not addressed.

[aside] To say nothing, is tacit approval.

Whichever way you look at it, we’re a mess,
Freedom levels daily get repressed,
The paranoia’s chronic
And surveillance electronic
And every move we make will be assessed.

[aside] Hello ASIO!

Whichever way you look at it, we’re a mess,
We’ve busted all the wonders we possess.
Should our society mammalian

Have a visit from an alien
They would be sad and leave depressed.

[aside] And not green with envy.

Whichever way you look at it, we’re a mess,
Wars are dressed as reasons to express
Concerns for others rights
But these mercenary fights
Are ruses to subdue and then oppress.

[aside]  But wars have all the good music!

Whichever way you look at it, we’re a mess,
Our politicians seek the corporate largesse,
While donations buy them all
And the big ones trump the small,
The big ones via Switzerland are the best.

[aside] We have the best politicians money can buy.

Whichever way you look at it, we’re a mess,
We’re taught the poor are bludgers, at the best,
We should kick them while they’re down
And then run them out of town,
While enjoying tax cuts given to the rest.

[aside] Taxes are the price you pay for a good society.  

Whichever way you look at it, we’re a mess,
It’s like a really nasty game of chess,
Where power comes with the rank,
The rules are rather blank 
And the pawns are sacrificed first or just oppressed.

[aside] Gone are the days the leader lead their army into battle.

Whichever way you look at it, we’re a mess,
There’s no chance to slow or convalesce,
Every year we must do more 
As growth is the assumed law
And consumption is required, and in excess.

[aside] Am I the only one who sees that growth cannot be endless?

Whichever way you look at it, we’re a mess,
The thoughtful watch the leaders all transgress,
They sigh and shake their head,
And inwardly they dread
The day when they must cease to acquiesce.

[aside] Come the revolution…
 .
---
© J Cosmo Newbery 2015
---

Print this post

25 comments:

  1. It's Time !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes. High time. I've struggled to move away from sombre depressing topics of late. Sorry.

      Delete
  2. You told me that you were going to use those words to write about the Moulin Rouge!

    ReplyDelete
  3. The revolution will not be televised, or even acknowledged, until it is over — as a success or failure.

    Time to cry, I think.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been using more than my ration of tissue with a cold this last week...

      Delete
    2. Sorry your health has been poor. Imagine — moving into summer and you have a cold. Where's the justice in that?

      Delete
    3. None what so ever, Rob. None what so ever.

      Delete
  4. Some sad, some ugly poetic truths this week.
    And speaking of sad, I am sorry to note that your cold is still with you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, thank you, it has been a 'bleah' sort of week. But on the mend, I think.

      Delete
  5. What is so depressing about this is that it is so true and so few seem to care. Perhaps the intergalactic space highway that would destroy the Earth is not far off. (Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy...I think!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vogons, I believe. We are certainly not doing much to create a case for a review of the Galactic Planning order.

      Delete
  6. We are indeed a mess - and your asides made me think of The Magic of Reality (Dawkins) - there is always a rational explanation..simple..magical...cleaning up the shit we've created ourselves - a fine commentary and poem - which is not at all like Vogon poetry

    ReplyDelete
  7. So true, and so well-woven! I like the pun of aliens not leaving "green with envy". And I like the rest. Amen to your final line. Thanks for the share.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Bravo.
    I'd like to hear the chorale group that sings that.
    Randy

    ReplyDelete
  9. Strong words, well spilled. It is, indeed, a mess.

    ReplyDelete
  10. It cant come too soon, that revolution.....I am hopeful the global march on climate change November 29 will convince the leaders in Paris to think about acting rather than more Talking. I enjoyed your poem, agree with every well-rhymed word. In Canada, we are hoping to oust our "leader" who "wont address climate change as long as it impacts the economy." An imbecile.

    ReplyDelete
  11. A mess indeed.. I fear it will be worse before it might get better.

    ReplyDelete
  12. In the vein of Tom Lehrer and Randy Newman! What a satirical songwriter!

    ReplyDelete
  13. A powerful rant. It thumps out like a loud drum beat. Love the words;
    'Wars are dressed as reasons to express
    Concerns for others rights...'

    ReplyDelete
  14. everywhere and in every sphere today pollution Is progress...very timely...

    ReplyDelete
  15. so truthful.. it's about time

    ReplyDelete
  16. Whichever way you look at it, we’re a mess,
    Be it Christian, Muslim, Baptist or the rest:

    Its heartbreaking to think of all the people who are obsessed with religion..forgetting the fact that humanity is the greatest thing before them all. Beautifully executed!

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

    ReplyDelete
  17. I couldn't agree more with the sentiments! Please don't take it amiss, but I kept seeing/hearing this on stage, being belted out by a chorus of blokes, with one character popping up between verses to speak the asides. Either Gilbert & Sullivan, or the guys who did Keating, the Musical. Forceful, anyhow!

    ReplyDelete

You've come this far - thank you.
Take your time, look around,
There is lots to see.