Bloated Wolves
What we whisper when we should scream
So much gets left unsaid
reserved for the journal
in my head, not out loud
—
pushed down, right down
until it burns
through my heart
but for today
the bile is rising
-
take sides—
when a conflict means
death and destruction
to the innocents
on all sides
-
why choose a side
in a war that chose
its casualties long ago?
who lives and who dies—
all for a line drawn in blood
by dead men
-
why can't we just be
against the war
against the fighting
-
laughing at the demagogue
who's never known—accountability or consequence
who has spent a lifetime
dodging human kindness
and seeing life through
the haze of ego—
behind gilded ignorance
delusion's blurred glare
-
and once in power
we act surprised and horrified?
why?
-
the writing was on the wall
long before the ballots
were counted and verified
bloated wolves dressed as wolves
—
So much gets left unsaid
reserved for the journal
in my head, not out loud
—
the rich build rockets
the poor build tents
those in power, have it easy
-
"oh, the work they do is stressful?"
"oh, really?"
-
What about the millions
starving, homeless, broken, disenfranchised
with no direction home
complete unknowns
left in the trash
-
as the smokescreen rises
the real issues choked out
by endless streams of inanity
-
All these things I keep to myself
in fear of stoking the wrong fire
in order to reserve a little respect
for what?
-
Respect is earned, unlike the positions
of so many, bankrolled by their problematic
heritage, genetic pool, monied backgrounds
-
Gender, race, sex,
inequality, the agenda disgrace
-
Since when did shouting
become truth?
Since when did a document
drown out common decency?
Since when did power need
a reason or a season?
*
Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: Considered against publishing this. Then published it anyway.
Here's other stuff.
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
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Comments (9)
Very well said, Paul! "Since when did shouting become truth?" is such a valid question. Excellent challenge entry!
Loved this Paul. I mean loved the truth of it. It just keeps getting worse though. Meh 💜
Oh I'm so glad you published it. Everything you said here is sooo true. And as always, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Haze of ego, I especially loved that. My favourite part was the fourth stanza. In short, your poem packed a punch!
Damn. This is a belter. And so bloody true. So glad you hit publish.
I am glad you published it. Ever word is needed, and absolute truth.
I'm so glad you published this (and love that title). It's a well written testament to what's happening and something which needs to be vocalised. "why can't we just be against the war against the fighting" -it's so simple: WE JUST TALK and imprison the clear monsters who value their own position and skin over lives of millions. I've always been a believer of reaching an understanding with words.
Oh man, yes yes yes, lots of powerful lines here. I almost felt like it could have kept going, I was so engrossed! xD This line: "why choose a side in a war that chose its casualties long ago?" It's just so simple and so on point and it says everything it needs to say without over bloating the language and ahhhhhh I got goosebumps! And then this: "bloated wolves dressed as wolves" The switch on the "wolves in sheep's clothing" to "bloated wolves dressed as wolves" is so genius and hammers home the insanity of US politics and the message behind this poem. Like, no, that's not a sheep, that is and always has been a wolf!! Wish I could give a more professional deep dive with actual analysis but really your poem speaks for itself. Great stuff here, Paul!! <3
Shout it! So much simmering rage at injustice and apathy. We all need to use our voices :)
Look at us taking on the world on a Thursday