November Dilemma
Conflicted electorate.
Convictions worn like armor
or on sleeves, bleeding
or, better yet,
whispered in the back rooms
of country clubs and
boo-yahed in skinhead bars: Are you
white enough, is the White House
white enough, is the First Lady
blonde enough for you?
If the robber barons manage
to steal this one, we’ll be
back to Reaganomics and
a president who, like Ronnie,
dyes his hair. Just. That. Vain.
The Trickle-Down Theory
will be the law of this land…
once again, the Free Market
(“as opposed to the slave market,”
joked a RedStateNeck who thought
I wasn’t listening), yes, the
Free Market will reign. And rain.
Trickle-Down Economics.
We know what’s gonna be
trickling down on us; we’ll need
lots of toilet paper to clean up
that mess. Should I buy stock
in Kimberly-Clark? It’s bound
to shoot higher than
Mitt’s real hairline.
Ah, but Kimberly is owned by the Kochs,
who invented the Tea Party (ironic,
those initials: T.P.).
Thus, you see
my dilemma.
Shall I profit off
the grief of the majority
or continue to
fight the moneyed minority?
Yeah, like there’s an option!
This year, make “Blues in the Night”
a victory dance,
if we stand a chance
against Diebolt and Hype Finance.
Or will we be finessed
by Salt Lake City’s best,
confessed, silk suit pressed?
(Though his agenda for the oppressed
shows him decidedly undressed.)
© 2012 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For ABC Wednesday: P is for Politics! Check in a few days to hear it at Buddah Moskowitz’s Virtual Poetry Reading site. Also at the politically non-affiliated hub of activity, Poets United. Adding to the dverse Open Mic Night, too!
Sharp Little Pencil 
Roger Green
Damn it, Amy, you’re being too subtle. again.
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, had to get one in before elections!! hee hee
Shawn
Shall I profit off
the grief of the majority
Great line!
Here’s another toward a moratorium on this cartoon version of American politics:
http://sextonsongs.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/the-pachyderm-and-the-ass/
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Shawn, and special acknowledgment for leaving me an exact URL. I love when poets do this! Peace, Amy
Shawn
Thanks for the comment over my way and the FB post.
I don’t know if I’m an ass (in these terms) but I KNOW that I am NOT a pachyderm,
more than either I’m just discouraged.
Frustrated at how divided we are by rhetoric.
Sarav
Amy, I have missed you and your words so much!! This is fantastic–love that cosmic coincidence of “T.P.” too funny! Thank you for the perfect political poem
🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Sara, yes, the TP is too funny a coincidence, especially since the Koch Brothers manufacture exactly that product. Irony, irony, everywhere. Love, Amy
Sara V
Hey Amy, no TP in the White House! Loved your comment on FB. Thank you 🙂
brian miller
yeah, trickle down economics works….not….ugh….ha some wicked rhyming…i am a little scared to wake up wednesday…and wonder what all the brainwashed will do when they wake as well…scary times.
Sharp Little Pencil
Scared? Yeah, me too. Wondering if enough women understand that we are more than (in Ann Romney’s speech) wives, mothers, sisters, nieces, et al., but also lawyers, legislators, doctors and nurses, PAs and physical therapists, and most important, teachers – as well as those lucky few who get to stay at home with their kids. We are more than walking “bits,” and most women are not… shall we say, “thinking outside the box”? (wink) Coming to see you now. Amy
vivinfrance
I don’t understand the implications, knowing very little about US politics. But I recognise a brilliant poem when I see it!
Sharp Little Pencil
Viv, bless your heart. I won’t bore you with details. Let’s just say it’s the Haves against the Have Nots, and the disparity is growing faster these days… thanks for the compliment, my dear. Love, Amy
lesliebc
Great post!
Leslie
abcw team
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much for visiting on behalf of ABC, Leslie! I’ll scoot over and find your post as well! Amy
PJF Sayers
It is scary stuff, Amy, well put.
Pamela
Sharp Little Pencil
Pamelita, es muy peligroso aqui en los estados. Mitt Romney es un pendejo con cojones de oro, y Paul Ryan es siniestra en muchos rutinas, especialmente con dinero…
PJF Sayers
y por que la gente te gusta? Es una locura, para mi. Mi marido y yo son desilusionado por eso. ¡caramba!
ihatepoetry
Great poem and you’re up at http://www.virtualpoetryreading.com/?p=483 go give a listen! Love ya, Ameleh!
ihatepoetry
And thanks for sending it in! 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Buddah, I also link folks to your blog when I mention Virt. Poetry. It’s important that you get credit for such an amazing project. Love, Sisteleh
Reader Wil
Great post. We all hope that America chooses well for you and the rest of the world. America functions as a role model for our policy.
Thanks for your comment. You are right about the fact that children ought to know that life has a dark side, if only it is not too scary. That’s why we love the Harry Potter books.
Wil, ABC Team.
Sharp Little Pencil
Riley was the exact same age as Harry when the first book came out, and I credit J.K. Rowling with encouraging youngsters to read challenging material, especially as she should come to me with “Britisms” such as “you lot” for explanation. Then I would read when she was finished, then Lex. And then the discussions! We squeezed so much out of those books. Thanks, Wil. Amy
Carver
This is fantastic! I couldn’t believe it when Reagan won and I hope that history doesn’t repeat itself. I will be very sad if Romney wins.
Sharp Little Pencil
Well, it turned out well for your expectations! Hooray! Peace, Amy
Kate Mura
I read the POEM with great amusement and some chagrin. I’m both sick and tired to the campaign and can’t wait ’til it’s over. I’m not excited about either candidate. The money spent horrifies me!! I’d like to vote for Clinton…either one! Kate, ABC Team
Sharp Little Pencil
Kate, I admit, I voted for the president more by default than by mandate. He’s done a lot I’m not happy about, but at least I take the time to call the White House and my Senate and House officials to tell them, or email. I could not take a chance on Romney… he’s a featherweight, subject to breezes, and he’s anti-woman in many ways, although his wife is a nice person.
Paula Scott: Molokai Girl Studio
As always, a provocative post. Especially when you delve into the arena of politics. What saddens me the most about politics (especially here in the USA) is that it has taken on a sports team mentality-the ‘us’ versus ‘them’. There no longer is a respect for differing POVs. And, if you’re not on the same ‘team’ (sharing the same political POVs) there is that mentality that you can’t be friends. The ‘us’ versus ‘them’ in my eyes, is far more disturbing than the ‘have’ and the ‘have nots’. For, this is where the seeds of war are born.
Richard Cody
Tell it!
Sharp Little Pencil
Like it’s an itch I’ve gotta scratch, right? (wink) Amy
kaykuala
Not much into US politics, not knowing as much. But whatever happens it affects us half a world away. Mitt makes himself into a hawk and that is frightening. We’ve enough of sufferings. Hoping mid-week will not see much change. The world is watching! Nicely Amy!
Hank
Sharp Little Pencil
We know by now things turned out all right… or left!! So glad the Mittens did not get in…
Dick Jones
Proof positive that poetry is well-equipped to take on the issues of the day! Good luck to you all – may the god of battles see reason!
Sharp Little Pencil
May God take away the battles, is more like it!! So glad Mitt “gonna show Iran” Romney did not take the election. Thanks for stopping by, Amy
Daydreamertoo
Oh my goodness, it is scary indeed as to whether your country goes forward or takes a huge backward slide into, people hiding in closets again, the great divide growing even greater between the have and have nots, women’s rights… etc etc.
Thank goodness Canada is so much more progressive in its thinking than the USA who is supposed to be the leader of the free world in most things. How can it be free when they suppress human rights to all sorts of groups simply because of the ‘faith’ of someone, or a few, in power and rich enough to keep it all suppressed.
I fear for your women and the future of their hard fought for rights Amy, really.
Great poem!~!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, hon. Until the election results, I, too, feared the possiblities. Too many folks scrambling for dual citizenship, but now they are relaxed. I believe the Prez will make more ambitious strides toward Health Care for All now… Amy
Andrew Kreider
This one just crackles, Amy. Love the quick-fire rhyming. And the ironic playing with toilets, TP, Tea Party, and on… It will be an interesting night for sure – thanks for setting the stage so starkly!
Sharp Little Pencil
Stark and snark seem to go together with me, Andrew! I appreciate your praises of this one… thanks so much. Coming to see you now. Peace, Amy
Candy Morrow
Nobody can accuse you of not standing your ground. I like the cheek and honesty.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Candy. Yes, I’ve been told I have quite the “line in the sand” mentality, but there’s only so much I can take from the rich and the silver spooners, who never earned anything, nor had an original idea in their lives… Thanks again, Amy
kimnelsonwrites
Lovin’ me some Amy tonight! Even if our political proclivities varied greatly, I would admire your poetic prowess. Rock on, SLP!
http://www.kimnelsonwrites.com/2012/11/06/on-politics-and-reality/
Sharp Little Pencil
Kim, you know I’m an unrepentant old Leftie, and yet I have so many friends who have diverse political opinions, not to mention religious affiliations, including rejecting God altogether. I figure, if I lay it all out there, no B.S. allowed, folks will either reject it because they don’t want to have an intelligent conversation, or embrace it and realize that we’re all in it together. Clearing the air can only be achieved by puffing out what you’ve got to offer, then waiting for the gentle breeze of mutual conversation to waft through. Sure with Congress worked this way! Thanks for a thoughtful, well-spoken post, Kim. Peace, Amy
pandamoniumcat
Great poem that doesn’t pull any punches…I don’t know an awful lot about US politics though I have been listening to some reports…hard to miss it even here. Thus, you see
my dilemma.
Shall I profit off
the grief of the majority
or continue to
fight the moneyed minority
a dilemma in politics all over I think. Great poem!
Sharp Little Pencil
PanCat, hey, if you want to know about US politics, blogs are a great source of viewpoints. Everyone is represented, as far as I can see, and our only problem is that we don’t pay enough attention to other countries’ politics! Peace, Amy
claudia
having the privilege to be in the states just now and feel a bit of the tension and diversity rgd. the election..i have my clear favorite even though i’m not really deep into us politics but what’s been decided tonight will affect the whole world..
Sharp Little Pencil
Amen, my EuroSis!
othermary
Oh Amy – so well put! What a misnomer that ‘free market’ is! I’m worried…scared tonight. I hope tomorrow will bring good news. Thanks for this, and welcome back! xo
Sharp Little Pencil
Well, it turned out OK if you are ME… president, plus our state elected the first openly gay senator = a WOMAN! A twofer! As an LGBT ally, I’m so proud of Tammy Baldwin. She was never closeted.
Sharp Little Pencil
Where in Wisconsin are you, girl? I’m Madison…
purplepeninportland
Wow, Amy. Here I am at the computer on election night in one of those northwestern states that hold up the polls.
Sharp Little Pencil
Aw, you don’t “hold them up.” It’s the darned media who cannot wait to get their projections in. Personally, I don’t think anything should be declared until every vote is counted! (And for me, the elec. college can go away, too…).
purplepeninportland
Amen to that!!
hedgewitch
Great poem after my own heart, Amy–so good to see you back(with a vengeance) too. I am still trying to convince myself we won and there is a future where billionaires may have spent the most money ever on campaigning for their puppets and lost. But the real work is still in front of us. It’s a long road away from the fiscal cliff, and a huge wound and breach to heal.
Sharp Little Pencil
I, for one, am a graceful “winner” (and a graceful loser as well. Mom and Grandma Blanche instilled that in me – nobody should rub anyone’s nose in anything). And this time, I voted by default… could not stand the thought of Mitt, who’s so vain he dyes his hair and knows nothing about common everyday people. The prez is going to have to prove he meant what he said in 2008 – and Republicans had better stop sitting on the jobs bill…
Ann Aswegan
My favorite line of your spunky poem was the first. “Convictions worn like armor” reminds me of how much anger and defensiveness I’ve heard from people on all sides of various political issues as they spit out their theories. Where in the midst of this rancorous rhetoric are we to find consensus or compromise? How are we going to penetrate this armor without wounding the other?
By the way, I don’t have a blog, so I don’t need to be offended if you don’t visit it.
Keep on sharpening your little pencil, my friend, and inviting your creativity to help unravel these entangled issues that confront us.
Ann