I picked the Statue of Liberty as my unifying theme and wrote and illustrated four postcards to send. The illustrations use photos and graphics in the public domain, and as you can tell, I have cropped, altered, and combined them for my purposes.
© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.
Text:
changing conditions
it's not easy to continue
standing watch
her torch's light
scatters in the fog
her eyes no longer see
© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.
Text:
Why do we want these people from all these shithole countries here? We should have more people from places like Norway.
~ Donald J. Trump, January 11, 2018
Integument
Can he not see
the woman isn't
white, but green?
The copper mines
of Norway supplied
Lady Liberty's skin.
A veneer to protect
regulate and enable
a great Lady to feel.
© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.
Text:
no safe harbor here
burgeoning lines
and chain link fences
zero tolerance means
we do no heavy lifting--
starting with lamps
© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.
Text:
Statue of Liberty
Her outer appearance
strong.
Her inner scaffolding
hidden.
Might it only take
one
insatiable rat to
gnaw
away her foundation?
Mary Lee at A Year of Reading will be hosting this week's Round-Up. She awaits your visit!
These are wonderful Diane, I especially like your "Integument" and "Statue of Liberty" and yes, one big rat has done some severe damage, keep'm coming!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle. Statue of Liberty was written out of frustration that so much damage could be done by one rather insignificant individual.
DeleteEach one with your outrage, yet that final one touches me to the core, that "insatiable rat" we must confront again and again. Don't stop!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to have to stop. I hate being angry all the time.
DeleteOh wow Diane. Poetry is a wonderful way to express your outrage, and to cut to the core of the problems. Thanks for sharing and hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely take all the hugs I can get!
DeleteI love that you didn't shy away from the hard and ugly truth of our nation and the irony of Lady Liberty at this moment in our national history.
ReplyDeleteI had relatives who came to this country and saw the Statue at the end of their trip. I can't imagine making a trip only to be greeted by armed agents and metal pens.
DeleteThese poems are hard and true. I have not been able to express my disgust in such an eloquent way. The Statue must thank you for saying the words she can't say. I did laugh at this line, "Can't he not see the woman isn't white, but green."
ReplyDeleteI recently found an article that stated the original prototype of the estatue portrayed a black woman and that it was rejected. The sculptor ended up using his mother as a model. Why hadn't I heard this story before?
DeleteI love this series. I'm also angry. A callous rat has been gnawing at my productivity, filling my days with outrage and anger. A steady diet of chaos isn't good for anyone who prefers to put the pieces together into art.
ReplyDeleteIt is so tiring being outraged and continuously angry. I have to return to the days of writing poems about flowers!
DeleteI am hugely appreciative for the potency of these poems matched with images, Diane.
ReplyDeleteSending good vibes to you, for moments of joy, interspersed with the angst + action so many of us are involved with since the cascade of downward diving direction for our great USA.
The only action of any consequence is VOTING!
DeleteThese poems ring so sad and so true. No safe harbor here indeed. It's hard not to either feel despair or tune out...November's election will hopefully be a first step in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be the longest three months ever!
DeleteIndeed, I'm sure it is very difficult to continue standing there on watch...Lady Liberty's job is much harder these days. Thanks for sharing these.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet, those of us on the sidelines MUST continue acting as witnesses.
DeleteThank you for celebrating what our Liberty Lady stands for. She is working overtime to keep the rat at bay.
ReplyDeleteWorking overtime and without adequate support--just a typical American woman worker.
DeleteEn pointe. 'Nuf said! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christie. I like short form poetry so I can make my point and step away.
DeleteI love that your poems speak a louder truth the lies that currently fog our country's discourse--especially from the top. I keep hoping that he will go far enough that most everyone will see him for what he is, but I am afraid that too many people want to keep their eyes squeezed shut.
ReplyDeleteDiane, you nailed it in this series of Lady Liberty image poems, especially the last one.
ReplyDeleteI hope her foundation is holding steadier than we are! Thanks for sharing this varied takes.
ReplyDeleteIt always makes me shake my head when people tell poets and authors that they should just focus on their art and stop being political. What a terrible lack of understanding, as if art hasn't always been political, used as means of expression and an instigator of change for centuries!
ReplyDelete