The Poet's and Storyteller's prompt is "holding your breath".
No News is Good News.
Sort of to the tune of The Piano Man
It's six o'clock and the news has come on,
The stories are alarming and grim.
There's chaos and mayhem
And world wars are about to begin.
The stories are dark and so fearful,
The main common factor is death.
Maybe there's a story of kindness and hope
But I wouldn't be holding your breath.
Chorus
Give us some news
That will give us a lift,
The current would hardly be missed
There must be a good news story
That will stop us from slashing our wrists.
The news reader sits there quite calmly.
But the war in Ukraine is unending
And the Gaza affair brings only despair,
I ask could the world be now ending?
I can't help but sense it's unreal
There's no end to the stories of woe
I want to pack up and quietly depart
But I haven't got somewhere to go.
Chorus
Give us some news
That will give us a lift,
The current would hardly be missed
There must be a good news story
That will stop us from slashing our wrists.
◊
I wish!
ReplyDeleteI think many will identify with this serio-comic complaint.
serio-comic? That's a new on for me.
DeleteYour poem touches me in a way that feels personal and meaningful., especially the part about Ukraine and Gaza. It captures the weight of what so many of us feel - the fear, the sadness, and the overwhelming sense that the world is breaking apart. Those questions you ask linger: Is the world ending? How do we make sense of all this pain?
ReplyDeleteBut in your words, I also see hope - a longing for something better, for kindness to shine through the darkness. It’s a reminder of how much we need those small moments of goodness to hold onto, to remind us why we carry on.
Thank you for putting these feelings into words. It helps to know we’re not alone in wondering, hoping, and feeling. Enjoyed reading!
I am not sure about the hope. I think becoming a recluse (from the news) has appeal.
DeleteIt takes a valiant spirit to keep up the optimism in these times of bad news. But your words have a lilt that go well with the tune, granting us a few moments to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteGot no good news here in the U.S. I like the take on Joel's Piano Man.
ReplyDelete🥲
DeleteOh how true it is. And part of the reason I can no longer watch the news.
ReplyDeleteGood strategy. It is called "Angertainment" for a reason.
DeleteWhat happened to the:
ReplyDeleteLa, la-la, di-dee-da
La-la, di-dee-da da-dum?
Cutting room floor, I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteThis is a haunting commentary on the relentless stream of dire news and its impact on our collective psyche. The lyrics convey a sense of despair, hopelessness, and desperation for respite from the constant barrage of negativity. Your plea for uplifting news resonates deeply, highlighting the urgent need for balance and positivity. Powerful and thought-provoking!
ReplyDeleteThank you Bing Yap. Sorry to read your news on your blog. That sucks.
ReplyDeletePerhaps it is worth staying for the good news that must always follow bad - Jae (and thank you for your kind comment at mine)
ReplyDeleteYou mean the 'kitten rescued from a drain' story after the weather?
DeleteNews in these times...never ending nightmare.
ReplyDeleteSo very creative!!! Love how you composed poetic lyrics to one of my favorite songs. I fancy myself a bit of a vocalist therefore ~~~ I sang your poem to myself.
ReplyDeleteWish I had heard you!
DeleteBy an odd coincidence I'm reading this minutes after closing Barb Taub's blog post about subletting rooms in the castle on Arran island where she lives, with her husband and dog. She's married to a moderate Republican and is specifically offering a haven for Americans who want to get away from the Graying Orange.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I don't expect this Trump Administration to be worse than the previous one. No. That's not true. With the Irish Chieftain of Glyphosate Awareness in Health & Human Services, I expect it to be much better than the previous one. Trump will continue to be a very annoying person and his life insurance plan will continue to act rebarbative for at least four years, but turning off the TV set and not opening X do wonders.
PK
I am sure that if something important happens, someone will tell me about it.
ReplyDeleteThings are grim in the world, no doubt. This poem encompasses all those
ReplyDeletefears we have. However, Billy Joel would be proud.