Twas a changing mood - thus here we see
A new minister president reigned
Otto Von Bismarck by the king was appointed
Though his enthusiasm was doubtful and strained
“By iron and blood shall the questions be answered”
Von Bismarck told the chambers and said
“Majority votes nor speeches won’t solve it”
Twas the first speech these words were bred
In 1815 – Von Bismarck was born
And Napoleons final defeat
From a land owning gentry family he came
And in his youth he was tall and slim
But Von Bismarck you see had a love for the drink
And food and so he grew fat
For coupled together, the food and the drink
They tended to send you like that
He entered Gottingen University
Von Bismarck – he worked very hard
Completed his studies in Berlin and he
His law examinations did pass
To become a civil servant, he disdained the idea
To Pomerania back he did go
Where he successfully managed his families’ estate
Though run down – he salvaged it so
He joined a religious group did he
And a Pietists he was to marry
Johanna Von Puttkamer – his wife to be
In 1847 did tarry
As the Prussian envoy to the federal diet
In 1851 was to be
And he stayed in Frankfurt for seven years
Learning statesmanship and diplomacy
In 1861 after the death of the king
The new Monarch took into heart
Removed the conservative Bismarck from there
For good relations he thought it was smart
He sent him as Prussian ambassador
To St.Peterburg – the Monarch he had
And Bismarck he stayed for three years there
Then to Paris was transferred instead
At forty-seven Von Bismarck became
The Minister President then
Had an imposing personality and spoke many tongues
And a ready wit was likened to him
“I will either be the greatest scoundrel”
Von Bismarck had said
“Or the greatest man in Prussia” he spoke
And no other man could match his political writings
Barr Abraham Lincoln – I quote
Von Bismarck was highly emotional
And a promiscuous lover was he
A passionate gambler he was ever so much
And he would cry very easily
He suffered hysterical outbursts
Cholecystitis and more
Jaundice and also convulsions as such
And a nervous barbarian, Gola Mann had called
He behaved arrogantly I have heard it was said
And that he felt that he lived in a world
Of hostility surrounded by enemies as such
And conspirators much to his dread
“If I have an enemy in my power” he said
“I must destroy him” for this was his way
And much of the writings to carry on him
Would picture Von Bismarck that way
Of the iron Chancellor, Gladstone had said
In his opinion – the ultimate one
“He had made Germany great,” he said
“And Germans small” quote thus
Although the history of Bismarck is long
Alas my time is all gone
And so I close this short review
On Otto Von Bismarck of mine
14.9.1982
Author notes
This was written many years ago and as yet, I have not sat down to edit it.
In a list
Comments
1 - 11 of 11
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Such an interest story you have here. Reading about the history was so enjoyable. Thank you for a wonderful read.
1982~~~Wow
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Wonderful Write
I really enjoyed this very informative poem about Oto Von Bismark. I loved the movie, "Sink The Bismark" and was glad to read about who the batleship was named after. An excellent write and a pleasure to read. You take care, Sandy
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Thank you. I need to do a little work on this piece. It's been covered in cobwebs quite a while. Your comments are much appreciated.
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wow, a great way to picque someone's interest in history with a rhyme like this - I like how you talk about his emotions - not something we often think about with leaders.
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Thanks, mate. Written quite a few years ago so I haven't actually got around to editing it at all. A bit rough around the edges. Thank you for your comments.
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awesome historical tale..!
Interesting read for certain
.... powerful storyline.. and a piece that is thought provoking...!
hugss
becca
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Thanks, Becca. Needs a bit of work but not bad considering it was written a few years ago.
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good historical story with the quirks of humanity shown well. It does need a bit of editing to get the flow and rhythm up to you usual standard but an interesting read just the same.
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Thanks for the read, Bob. I found this hidden away the other day and I thought I would just pop it on as it was for now. Over twenty seven years old, so I guess it's about time to brush off the cobwebs and do something with it.
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an interesting trip through the annals of history...I can't think of Bismarck without hearing Johnny Horton's Sink The Bismarck in my head. lol
While the meter is rough in places, the storyline is strong. Well done.
Rory
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Thanks, mate. A 27 year old poem just saved from the cobwebs. I will do some work on it. You are quite right about the meter. I was a little rough back in my early years. I was actually reading a book on him and was writing this as I came across certain parts. Thank you for the read.
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