1,2,3,4,
I declare a mindless war
5,6,7,8,
Now my choices lead to hate
Pledges are like skipping rhymes
Hurry, sir, it's nearly time
Down this chute and up this ladder
Public votes could give you power
Tell the press to tell your fans
The harmless nature of your plans
Chinese whispers, rumours fed
See your scandal: front page spread
"Out of context!" your voice pleads
"I don't do bribes to track your leads"
Saying teens are half-wit mobbers?
They're the cops and you're the robber
Promises are breaking fast
Enjoy this term, as it's your last
Looking for a helping hand-
"Marco?" "Polo!"
Aid is banned
On the T.V., in a hall
The most important one of all
Take a breath and check your notes,
Pray to God that this one floats
The skeptics don't believe your vows,
They're calling out, your head is bowed
The time is up, your last resort,
You wish you'd given this a thought
Silence thick, it could be touched,
Here's the moment you dread so much
Feeling eight, you smile and sigh,
"Cross my heart and swear to die."
Author notes
This is... I guess it's comparing a politician's rise to power to various children's games, like Chutes and Ladders, Cops and Robbers.... The games you played in primary school.
Written November 24th, 2005
What did you think
Comments
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becky this is definatly without any-a-doubt your best poem ever!
it so sureal and such a mature stlye change i like it alot!
you should be very proud! -
I didn't write it to say that politics are trivial, but if you want to take it that way, be my guest.
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Sidenote: The game I know is "Chutes and Ladders", not "Snakes"... is it Snakes in a different country?
Interesting. Like TooRainbow, I found the depiction of politicking as trivial rather interesting. What I was left wondering was this: why is it trivial? These politicians, be they criminally minded or benign, are incredibly influential; they are in the unique position of making many decisions for many people. It seems to me that, rather than trivial, these men and women racing for seats and thrones are incredibly important.
Unless the point is, then, that the process of picking one over the other in a political race is trivial, because the result will be the same. In which case I'm afraid I find that a bit too cynical to be realistic, given how vastly different, say, Clinton's and Bush's rules were. Political *coups* might be a different story- after all, Allende and Pinochet were only different in the degree to which they expressed their agenda, as could be said also of Batista versus Castro. But I daren't go too far in depth into this vein, since I don't even know that that was your intent.
What, though, *is* the point you're making? Triviality seems to be the theme, but there seems also to be no real underlying foundation, no 'universal truth' or no crystallized point that one can take away from this poem. As it stands, it's a mostly interesting, if timid, summary of one writer's view of the worldwide or nationwide political arena. I'm just not sure if there's anything too permanent or lasting about the message that's being conveyed here.
Edited on Nov 25, 12:51 because 'spelling was poor'. -
Wow, what a great piece! Quite unlike anything I've ever read before. I loved your comparisons -- so true. This was a very inspiring piece, and hopefully your words will reach the ears of all those who need to hear them, in some form or another.
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The incorporation of the child's game gives this a more powerful feel. It shows that the innocent will not be fooled. Bush is an evil man. I'm half afraid that he will find some way to ammend the constitution and run for a third term... Great job on this.
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Apologies. I wrote it "chutes" cause it fits better with the poem. But we know it's really "snakes" though.
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Well, I wasn't thinking of it being Bush, but it just worked out that way.
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This is very clever! I like the comparison to children's games to show the trivial aspects of politics, but I especially like the double entendre in your line "feeling eight, you smile and sigh..." as eight is the maximum number of years he can be voted into the presidential office. This is really a noteworthy work. I think you should send it to a political satire magazine for publication. It's very good. Thanks for featuring it! I really enjoyed the read!
Sheryl -
THE BEST EVER
hey becky! this is amaaaaaaazing! and i mean, fantabulous! Gobsmaking! your best one yet! omgomgomg! you are fantabulous! WOOOOOOWIIIIEEEE! yes, i just cannot express how great this is! you should enter it into a contest or something! to win money! mail me and i'll send you the link to a publishing site so you can send it to them! yes, i think it's THAT good!
keep it up, m'love!
loves and kisses
Crimson
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SNAKES and ladders, SNAKES and ladders, SNAKES and ladders.....
...sorry -
Woo look at you.
Dis is most excellent my dear and i am most proud of you ^-^
Clap clap clap clap clap clap
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