pompous pearls, pigs and party paramour
glam’rous girls, gigs and galas galore
disgust that the oyster surrounds the pearl
they’d soon cast the lot to the swine
then proceed to tie a string around the world
exclaiming to one and all “This is mine”
how lovely the glow of pearls at the throat
finest boots with a soft leather shine
silk straps attached to the ear of a shoat
pigs and mollusks are less than divine
pale shoulders kept warm with pelt of the mink
rings set with jewels of bloodstained ice
flaunting this opulence without a blink
cold diamonds ~ yes but don’t they look nice
a city mouth fed with a silver spoon
caviar instead of hominy grits
new hole in the sky where they hung the moon
better to be seen from where they sit
corn fed cows and cutting down cotton
corn pone, plows and p’taters half rotten
looking out over a field of ripe corn
gleam in the eye at the thought of moonshine
heirs to the land since the day they were born
claiming to one and all “This is all mine”
delicious pate would be slop for the pigs
their Sunday best has a denim sleeve
vogue is not the name of their festive jigs
most would rather die than change how they believe
weekends are a romp at a country cake walk
where down home language is coarse and raw
their mouths chewing up the words as they talk
thick as bacon grease, mustard greens and hawg jaw
a country mouth fed with a wooden spoon
hominy grits instead of caviar
they plant food by the signs of the moon
which they can see fine from where they are
if they could swap places, would they druther?
or live apart, in contempt of the other
Author notes
prompt:
"Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo."
- H. G. Wells (1866-1946)
Varied forms of several old familiar phrases contribute to the subject.
The world on a string
Casting pearls before swine
The world is my oyster
Silk purse from a sow's ear (shoat)
Two separate views from two different styles of life are written in the perspective of the other, each perhaps somewhat envious of the other. The age old arguments of the haves and the have nots, and yet each will state that their life is the best.
Pigs have two meanings...greedy people or animals that farmers raise for food. This poem is reminiscent of the reality tv show, Paris Hilton in the country.
A contest entry
- NO GREENS! - A Rounds Contest by Pamela A Lamppa.
1700 points, ended January 20, 23 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 18 of 18
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A wonderful painterly piece of juxtaposed contrasts. I've often wondered how black sea sturgeon eggs, goose liver, and perfumes with civet cat secretions for a base, have come to be associated with the rich. One of your best poems for sure, and a terrific read.
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Thanks for the comment on this one, as you are one of the greatest rhymers that I know. I had almost forgotten that this round is still in progress and continuing here in cyberspace.
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this in my humble opinion is one of your best poems that i have read, i love the swapping over, one life to another, it is intricate and well thought out - som much detail. chewing up words as they talk is but one great line in a poem full of beauties. an enjoyable read, thanks.
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so much to enjoy and appreciate here, the words..so wonderful to express the attitudes and the differences; words that resonate with the idea of distinctions, but as most...any real differences are another matter... remarkable work here, depth of understanding, well expressed points of view...PK
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Isn't it odd how we can covet such opposites; but it happen within classes of people every day. And, No. Most would not opt to change if they could.
very well written and a pleasure to read.
great job
ken
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The poetic play between the two lifestyles is filled with so much wonderful imagery. Pearls from oysters, pigskin, fur coats adorn the "beautiful people" while coutryfolk think that their way of life is best. What is lacking in both viewpoints is a sense of understanding and empathy. "I've got mine, to h*** with you." The final couplet was the perfect conclusion. Good luck in this contest. Peace, Liz
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Most enjoyable!
You managed to keep a satirical ballad style through a long but very readable poem. It is a most admirable entry for Pam's contest.
I have not yet seen its equal. Ron.
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Exquisite verse. Excellent rhyme, meter and rhythm. Much more wrapped within these words than meets the eye.
"if they could swap places, would they druther?
or live apart, in contempt of the other"
I wonder. Sometimes those that live in the ice palace never truly see mankind for its true value and worth. Too ready to judge and segregate.
I enjoyed this very much. Quite powerful and filled with so much energy and wonderful words.
This is quite special and a terrific entry for this round. Kudos dear poet. An amazing entry. ~Pamela
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You are simply a fine poetess and a master storyteller...I love everything you do, and I am learning each time I read one of your pieces. I wish you all the best in the contest - hardly can imagine any other entry quite as good as this.
Love, Lane
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Very cleverly done. Good luck in the contest and happy trails.
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What a showcase of prismatic talent.
How you execute two extremes of lifestyle & give each their own distinct coveting and disdain for the other is very captivating. Blue
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Now I am jealous...
because this is a truly magnificemt poem. From the dazzling alliteration in the first lines to the quotable lines of the last couplet, this is a poem of many talents. Congratulations on a great piece.
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The contrast that you depict between the "us's" and "them's" is sharp and articulate. Two different social strata--the artifice of trinket wealth and formal education versus the more valuable wealth of hearth and home and the practical education that comes from living close to the land and working as opposed to inheriting. A wonderful piece to run across this evening!
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What a textured write ...
and it is not only the metaphors that glitter, but also your brilliance and presentation! Well done, Poetess, I loved reading this.
Good luck in this contest.
Love
Myra
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Wow! What a fantastic read! You haven't written a poem in awhile, I guess you were saving yourself for this masterpiece. You totally sucked me in with the beginning couplet and it’s amazing alliteration. You then proceeded to let imagery and vocabulary dance in my head. Standing ovations here!
Love,
Amera♥
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I often tell people how much I love words, how they swirl in my head and pitter patter on my toungue,The language in this was so rich and vibid, that it made my mouth water.
I especially loved this line, it just created such powerful imagry
Their mouths chewing up the words as they talk
Thick as bacon grease mustard grens and hawg jaw
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Oh my...loved where and how you danced words from those prompts...great usage of assonance and alliteration...flowing uncompromized rhyme...and two streams of thoughts...indeed if boot was on other foot would they still spit or act mo' refined and would the mo' refined then be inclined to derail and demolish...thought provoking...well written...lovely usage of language...
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haha, this is funny. Pearls before swine, girls, pearls before swine. Good luck in the rounds.
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