Victoria C. Slotto, hosting dVerse Poets Pub’s, Meeting the Bar: Allegory, has invited us to attempt an allegorical poem, and I’ve given it a whirl. I don’t know that what I’ve done fits the definition, or if it’s merely confused gibberish, but if the latter is closer to the truth, please be gentle with your comments.
A Jealous Crowning
I am saddened by gladness
That holds me from afar
Government gone mad with glee
Angry world a roiling mass of party
Divided and so loving to hate
My mind reels in still darkness
And yet I go on writing happily
Sad songs about things amusing
Feeling justified by injustice
While the flames rise higher
Am I wrong… to be right
Or on the other hand
Should I lean or stand
Speaking unspeakable things
Simpler times a misnomer perhaps
As I refuse to see in grays
The incorrectness of blindness colored
Oceans emptying with bodies sinking
Mountains crumbling into the sky
Into the sea or from it perhaps
Does anyone care that I appear unconcerned
Has nothing become our everything
Have we become so self-centered
As a group of one that we
No longer see or hear the alone
While fixating on another’s pain
Our entertainment, our medicine
Their victory our disdain
As we jealously crown them
… American Idol
Copyright 2012 © C. Mashburn
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Sherry Mashburn said
oooh! Lots of truth here!
charlesmashburn said
Yes’m.
claudia said
good questions charles with no easy answers at all.. i have high respect for poets of people generally that raise their voice for humanity..though not always easy to do it in a good ways…still trying to define my place..haven’t fully thought it through and will go small steps like we all do…really like this
charlesmashburn said
I don’t really enjoy political poetry; I should, because it brings forth a lot of passion, but too much of it can turn to anger, which clouds my reason. I want to be reasonable.
Thanks for the visit and comment, Claudia!
brian miller said
i gave up on idol…and have not watched this year…i think this goes deeper though than just the show and a bit into what our country has become in the last 20-30 years…i like some of the contrasts through as well charles…nicely done…
charlesmashburn said
I don’t like any of the “talent” shows–don’t care for much of anything being put out by the “entertainment” industry these days. Detest, and will not watch anything that calls itself “reality” tv.
Idol was just an easy target for this poem, because it somewhat defines what’s become of this country–the world for that matter–in the sense that in the end it’s not about talent, or ability, it’s a popularity contest, and every ugly facet of our society comes into play when it comes down to who we “like”. The sad thing is, we have begun to select our leaders based on their popularity, which is directly related to how much money they spend convincing us they are “cool”.
Sorry. Got up on the ol’ soapbox for a bit.
Thanks for the great comment, Brian. Too bad we can’t meet at the pub for real. I bet we could have some great conversations!
aprille said
Don’t you be sorry: I am so glad to hear this. TV is depressing me beyond belief for all the reasons you mention. The raucous sound traversing every dialogue for a start. And yes, it interacts with everybody’s behaviour. Cool is the god of the moment even for boring civil servants. Who maybe cool as well as civil but don’t serve any longer. And TV does indeed encapsulate [is that a word?] what is going on in wider society.
charlesmashburn said
OH-KAY! I won’t be sorry!
What I can’t figure out is why moe people don’t stop watching the crap they put on TV and in movies. Much of it these days is pure BS propoganda, and the rest is foul and downright stupid. Reality??? Are you kidding me? What TV does is try to convince people what reality is, and way too many fools emulate what they see on the aptly named “boob tube”.
Thanks, Aprille! I appreciate the support and the great comment!
leahJlynn said
That show is real example of how our minds can work, and why so much of the chaos and etc.
http://leah-jamielynn.typepad.com/blog/
charlesmashburn said
I agree, Leah. (See my reply to Brian)
Thanks for the visit and comment!
New View From Here said
Really enjoyed this Charles and there are definitely some great questions asked here! These were especially good lines IMHO:
“Does anyone care that I appear unconcerned
Has nothing become our everything”
STRONG…..
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, Reggie! I’m glad you liked this one. I don’t often get too deep into the world like I did with this one.
Abby Kelly said
I have long agreed with you. I know I’m in the minority to never have watched a whole show – of any reality TV. But I do find the title “American Idol” the most abhorrent and telling of our insatiable desire for a “king” other than our Creator!
http://www.predatory-lies.com
charlesmashburn said
Yes, Abby; I agree. I am of the opinion that most of what we see on TV is designed to turn us away from God.
Becky said
Excellent Charles. I love that you say you don’t really care for political poetry but yet you nailed this!
So so much of our society is based on popularity as opposed to talent and virtue.
Thank you for this my friend.
charlesmashburn said
I got a hammer!
Thanks, Becky!
Daydreamertoo said
This is all so real. Mankind worships all the wrong things nowadays. Money being the main one, pop stars and actors/tress next. Crazy world has gone topsy turvey especially when they carry out surveys and the most thing kids want these days, is to be instantly famous.
Well said Charles.
charlesmashburn said
Instantly famous, or instantly wealthy; many today don’t think they should have to earn their way. I saw one just a while ago who was complaining about having to pay back her student loans. She actually said, “Why should we have to pay to live on the planet we were born on?” Are you kidding me?? What did they teach this person at university? Good Lord, help us all!
Thanks for the visit and great comment, daydreamer. Always appreciate you stopping by!
aprille said
and then they have the gall to call themselves and each other ‘celebrities’.
Forgot to ask: Is Sherry the lovely peaceful lady on the cover in the sidebar?
charlesmashburn said
No, that’s my mom! Ain’t she somethin?
Laurie Kolp said
Strong, thought-provoking piece.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Laurie!
Victoria C. Slotto said
You’ve nailed it, Charles. As a society, we escape from the pain through mindless entertainment. (I like to make jewelry while my husband watches sports) Like you, I prefer not to engage in political poems or discussions. I try to hear what others say and give them respect, but I do become angry with anger. We are not in a happy place. Thanks for a thought-provoking allegory on, as I see it, the abdication of responsibility.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Victoria! I’m glad you like the poem, and I’m really glad it fit the form you were looking for. I’m not very knowledgeable as to forms and the intricacies of poetry, but I enjoy trying!
Victoria C. Slotto said
Must confess, I’m not a stickler. My goal is to get those creative juices flowing.
charlesmashburn said
You did! Thanks!
oceangirl said
I enjoy your poem and see your points, but, but, the idols this year are really talented!
charlesmashburn said
Oh, I agree. Sherry watches, and I watch with her sometimes. There are some talented young folks on the show, I just don’t like that it comes down to a popularity contest. The good thing is that if they’re talented, the show gives them an ooportunity to get noticed, and the really good ones will go on to have good careers even if they don’t get crowned! I used the show mainly to make a point. I don’t mean to judge those who like to watch it, just hopefully help to put things into perspective.
Thanks for the visit and comment!
darkangelwrites said
I gave up tv and news about 3 years ago. I’m much happier and admittedly unconcerned… shame on me.
charlesmashburn said
No shame in that at all. I do NOT watch the “news”!
pandamoniumcat said
Seems to be a bit of a political day… I don’t watch any reality shows…or the talent ones…the way they’re judged upsets me and how this translates into real world. Anyway you raise a lot of questions that gives us something to think about… nice!
charlesmashburn said
Yes, I try to stay away from politics on the blog. I wrote some posts for a friend who’s running for U.S. Congress, but she hasn’t told me when or if they’ll be posted.
I agree on the talent shows; the judging bothers me, too.
Thanks for the visit and comment!
hedgewitch said
I like your word play here, Charles, and agree with your points totally. I can’t watch that crap–if I wanted to see people show their ass in public I’d hang out in cheap bars and at least be able to blame it on booze instead of greed and stupidity. That people find entertainment in this cliquish nonsense is beyond belief–but it’s a lot cheaper than hiring real writers and real actors and making an actual show. Nice work.
charlesmashburn said
“… it’s a lot cheaper than hiring real writers and real actors and making an actual show.” You hit the nail on the head right there. I recall saying something similar back when they started the “reality” BS. What bothers me is that people seemed to find it entertaining to see others humiliated and hurt.
Thanks for the visit and comment!
Shawna said
Loved the surprise “American Idol” ending.
These are my favorite sections:
“Am I wrong… to be right”
“Have we become so self-centered
As a group of one that we
No longer see or hear the alone
While fixating on another’s pain
Our entertainment, our medicine”
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, Shawna. I’m glad you like this one.
I appreciate the visit and comment!
Zouxzoux said
Sometimes watching mindless TV is a way of escaping one’s hard reality so I can’t condemn everyone who does it. Life is tough for lots of people and maybe we need to remember that when we become impatient with society’s choices. Having said that, I do understand what you’ve said and agree with a good portion of it. I think your heart is in the right place and I can say that having read your work for a few years now. This was very thought-provoking and that’s what it’s all about, right?
charlesmashburn said
Yes, it can be a great escape; I just think it’s been perverted–in more ways than one. And, yes, that is what it’s all about. The main purpose of my blog is to encourage others (that’s why I try to stay away from politics on it) and sometimes, provoking thought can be encouraging.
Thanks for the visit and comment!
Zouxzoux said
Gah! I meant “your”, not “you’re”. I hate when that happens.
charlesmashburn said
Happens to me all the time!
Lindy Lee said
You make a strong argument against the triteness of TV, that nothing has become our everything…
charlesmashburn said
Unfortunately, that’s the sad truth if it, and it also affects our behavior and attitude.
Thanks for the visit and comment, Lindy Lee! (Love that name!)
marousia said
Great questions – the whole cult of celebrity spooks me
charlesmashburn said
I’ve always been fascinated by the adoration people shower on famous actors, athletes, etc.. It is, as you say, spooky.
Thanks for the visit and comment!
Poetry & Icecream said
Well said Charles. I hate reality TV too especially The Biggest Loser! Their pain is our entertainment. It’s not right. A well written poem
charlesmashburn said
Oooo, that is one of the worst!
Thanks for the visit and comment!