How many there are who gaze
toward the sky but do not see,
or, more, those who wear blinders
to the sunset or the dawn. They hide
their eyes from the face of the sky!
More oblivious than the Pharisees,
clueless as the High Council, seeking
what stands before them, asking
for what they are unable to read.
Gentlemen and ladies we stand
butt deep in prophets who wag
their tongues before us, declaiming
in chorus strident their fruited ignorance.
We seek a sign! We seek a sign!
our hearts unanswerably beat out.
But what shall we ultimately be given,
but the whale’s tale, or a crap-load of bunkum?
When seekers from politicians seek
answers that of that kindred are kept
then huge lumps of lucre will pass
from hand to hand, and we shall know…
no better off are we.
Tonight at dVerse Poets Pub, Mish is serving up drinks and this prompt: “Today I’d like you to choose a sign as a visual prompt. Let it speak to you metaphorically or as an allegory. Let it take you to a deeper place or even a comical place. Your sign does not need to have words, as symbols have stories and voices too. The choice is yours.”
Wow! Strength of statement in these words, Charley. Well said!
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Thank you!
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I’m afraid you won’t get a sign or clue from the powers that are. Love the sign. Don’t think I’d know which way to go
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Depends upon where you are going. I can’t take credit or blame for the sign. Talk to PA.
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Yeah PA, great folks
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It looks like if one misses Paradise one might end up in a worse place. Nice phrase about standing “butt deep in prophets”.
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“Clowns to the left of me… jokers to the right….” One of the most prophetic songs ever!
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We are indeed “butt deep in prophets who wag their tongues and show their ignorance”. Heaven help the seekers.
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As I said to someone else, “clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right” remains the most prophetic of lyrics ever! That’s as much of politics as you’ll have of me, m’lady!
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I really loved it. The message and the tone, excellent!
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Thank you so much!
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I guess that means we’re ‘stuck in the middle’
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Exactly!
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Interesting thoughts! These signs make me also think of the town, Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
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Indeed!
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I have a photo of that sign. Almost used it!
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I posted it once on FB without comment. Lots of interesting responses.
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I wonder if looking for signs will ever get us right. I prefer to drive by the map.
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Depends upon what signs we are discussing I guess…
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Blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction specially in these days 🙂
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Indeed!
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A strong message here.
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I’m glad you noticed! Not many have…
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🙂
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The photo: Paradise in 3, Desire in 5, Panic in 7 – better get off at Paradise I think. Going further would have one’s ignorance informed with fruit unpalatable. Yet, Paradise, not being so great as it’s made out to be, bypass all to Gobbler’s Knob where Phil hangs out not where you’d think he’d be … and a long winter to you all he’d say … you wrote a tragi-comedy. Apologies for the lazy comment! 🙂
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What? You gave poetry in return! Well worth the wait… and the guilt. 🙂
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This gets you another smiley. Thanks for waking me up today.
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Always happy to deprive someone of sleep!
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A further thought: it is also a riddle. And a satire.
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Or maybe just social commentary with a little biblical lore mixed in. The reader, after all, finishes the poem that the writer began. Whatever the case, I hope I have written a poem that will elicit more reading and more thoughts ventured.
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I like the archaic phrasing with “butt-deep” and “bunkum”
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Glad you liked it!
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Powerful write!
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Thank you!
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This is so thought-provoking, Charley. I like how you are able to mix philosophy, politics, religion and culture into a blend laced with humor. You are good at this.
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I’m sorry I didn’t respond right away. Been hither and yon. And at this time of night, yawn. You talk about mixing four ingredients that interact like oil and vinegar and… oil and vinegar. The only commonality is the humor inherent in each. Jesus got irony. His Father created irony. We either laugh or cry. I learned much by visiting hospice patients and their families in their homes. Much laughter… much laughter.
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A very thought provoking translation of the sign. I really do think politics can and has become more of an identity and an entity for some countries. It’s bigger than it needs to be, losing sight of what matters.
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Politics is not what I’m about. Not really what my poem is about inevitably.
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Not what I’m about either…sorry for the misinterpretation.
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No problem. The reader finishes what the poet started. Your interpretation is on point.
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Can Ye Not Discern indeed! LOVE the last two stanzas the most.
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Thank you!
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Those last two stanzas completely blew my socks off! Powerfully penned!
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Well thank you! It came from deep within… as poetry should.
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