These are truly strange times. Some even say we are in the end times. Last weekend, I heard a story on NPR in which A. J. Jacobs, a editor at
Esquire magazine, related stories of physical confrontations by members of Congress. Listen to the story here:
So many interesting links here, D. And your fabulous poem, of course . . . Janet
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janet!
DeleteGood one, Diane. Politics, like every other subject, is fair game for poetry, a seemingly natural opportunity for satire. Love your final stanza especially. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, everything is fodder. If you can't laugh, surely, you'll go mad.
DeleteIt would be nice to stick our head up to sniff and find the smell of fruit instead of the stench that seems to be there a lot lately.
ReplyDeleteCathy
Too much of late!
DeleteWise words to ponder, Diane...well done!
ReplyDeleteMaybe not so wise as heartfelt!
DeleteI like your response to the mess in Washington. Writing poetry about it is a lot saner than most of what one could do!
ReplyDeleteSure is, people can get really caught up in the commenting section of many news and social media outlets.
DeleteThanks for all the links. Poetry always has the perfect response, I think. :)
ReplyDeleteOh Myra, I shudder to think what your part of the world is thinking about the political circus going on here!
DeleteThat Bachmann interview was so strange - it was as though she was speaking in tongues. As many of her ilk seem to do these days....the stench of rot indeed!
ReplyDeleteShe always strikes me as not-quite-with-us!
DeleteYikes. Bachmann is off the rails! Love your poem and your passion, Diane. You've read Calvin Trillin's political ditties, right? And do you know James Fenton's work? Not funny, just political in the most beautiful way, though of a different era. and I'm thinking of Yusef Komunyakaa, too. Lots of ways to be political in poetry!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the new names to explore!
DeletePolitics are a stinking rotten mess these days. I prefer Millay's figs to our political fig-ure-heads.
ReplyDeleteFunny, you should mention Millay. We can only hope that the "lovely light" from the mess in Congress burns out soon.
DeleteGads--figs everywhere this weekend! I always enjoy a bit of politopoetry, myself, and as Rudyard proves, like fashion politopoetry always comes around relevant again. That quote of Henry Clay's is inspirational indeed!
ReplyDeleteTruthfully, I like a good fig. Fig Newtons were always a favorite growing up. ;-)
ReplyDeleteReminder to self: do not get on Diane's s**t list.
ReplyDeleteHa, ha! You're probably right!
ReplyDelete