They swarm;
in golds and greens and blues
they flock.
Tall hats, short skirts, blazers, ties:
the plumage of the rich
on a cold day in grey April.
Invisible,
the cameras circle them
seeking out the blemishes, the unworthy,
preying on the weak and strong alike.
They pounce:
first one and then another attacked
framed for their enforced flash of fame
or notoriety.
Over all
dispassionate voices talk of nothing:
of fashion and gossip and music.
A series of well known faces appear
to smile and nod and make polite nothings
and then fade once more into the sea of colour.
Within,
the favoured few await
adorned in multi-coloured splendour.
Their talk is significant and unheard -
the silent security of priviledge.
Among them move the celebrities,
twice blessed with fame and fortune both,
their garments still more splendid
than their high-born companions.
Their faces smile
at the envious multitudes they cannot see.
Outside,
the crowds: a sea of nameless faces,
their colours cheaper, somehow grimmer,
dimmed by the blustering rain.
They hope
for a glimpse, perhaps a smile or a word
from the happy couple.
They wish
only to show their support.
It's a good shot, the crowd,
an image of support and popularity,
though individual faces are passed over:
unimportant.
Empty words are exchanged
by the rich and important
with token faces, soon forgotten.
Cake for the multitude.
This is today's society.
Author notes
The wedding of Charles and Camilla, as seen on British TV.
Written April 12th, 2005
What did you think
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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well done
other than a few places where you could have used a comma or where a colon could have been used instead of a comma, grammatically, along with allowing for poetic license, this poem is perfect as it is- (however where you said: twice blessed with fame and fortune both', i think that 'alike' would "sound" better)-your imagery well depicts and captures the vultures of society, preying on the spotlight created by those wishing "only to show their support"- your focus is unwavering throughout the poem- it's not like some freeverse that seems to be the wandering thoughts of the writer or supposed poet extraordinaire- i definitely love the way you encompassed all of society in one poem- the flow of the poem sends my mind adrift (it makes me think of the walking cliches in our midst daily)- you have shown the fallibility of man - and beauty in the realm of the grotesque- the funny thing is: while this poem seems to be a statement of the obvious, in reality very few realize that they are playing into this surreal society with each breath they take- this poem is well written- and at the risk of sounding trite: i liked it- i appreciate the stance that you took in it- not absolutely condemning society, but acknowledging it's tendency to be empty, to be faceless- well done -
Yes I understand this immediately as the wedding of Charles and Camilla. We did not get invite. Erased was most dischuffed lol. Plumage, predators, this describe so well the scene I see on TV news, and whole reflection of scene you give is just so. Me, I am cynical about royals, but even I have some romanticism, and think I wish them well.
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WoW! This is truly impressive. The flow was awesome. Once I began to read through the lines, I just seemed to glide right through. Your choice of descriptive words is truly unique and gave this whole poem a rich and enjoyable flavor. Thank you for the pleasurable read!
♥ Kimberly -
Icing 'Tis sweet
Let them eat cake, as for me,
I'd rather JoBob poetry 2 partake.
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This is a marvelous piece, JoBob. Your ability to transpose the colors and flair of the wedding guests, and to propose a larger social message using that image, is outstanding. There actually is a contest being run to be the "poet laureate" and describe the Royal Wedding. It's tongue-in-cheek, to say the least, but this would be a worthy entrant. Standing on its own, it is a marvelous piece, projecting all of our societal hang-ups with image and celebrity, composed within the framework of one after another supurb visuals. It made me think of a great work by U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins called "Hats." A wonderful read....
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