An iniquitous incubus has called
Many thought him slain and buried deep
A world entire his vile deeds appalled
Into fresh ears his madness seeks to creep
Eco studied fascism and warned us
To be on guard against its contagion
Lies designed to rouse the populous
Exploiting rage and ugly frustration
The smoke of war does make its laughter reek
It writhes, with petty grievances seething
Stultifying are its slogans--Newspeak
Is its language; it talks of blood, breeding
The dark receiver waits to be lifted
Far from truth and goodness have we drifted
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The eminent Italian novelist and semiotician, Umberto Eco, composed an essay entitled "Fourteen Ways of Looking at A Blackshirt" that included this invaluable list of fourteen symptoms of incipient fascism:
About the Creator
D. J. Reddall
I write because my time is limited and my imagination is not.
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Comments (5)
"The smoke of war does make its laughter reek" I especially loved this line! Your poem was very dark and poignant!
Dark days. Always possible.
Ooooo. I liked this. It gives an Edgar Allan Poe vibe.
Thank you for the link. The poem feels horribly ominous, but then so does the world.
The poem suits the image so well. Very creative eye and pen (or keyboard)!