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Category Archives: Character
Narcissist in Charge
Narcissist in Charge (A Tiara of Sonnets)
I
When arguments are simply otiose
because he thinks he truly knows it all
and he’s aware that he’s the one we chose,
some facts, to him, are not real facts at all.
Because his mind’s his mind, mind you, not yours.
his self-importance dims all other lights.
His plans, most often, pause for quick detours
to “tweet”, as disagreements must be fights.
Obnoxious though he’s now days come to be,
we knew he’d flown along a selfish path.
The fear that he’s insane’s what frightens me;
that war will bloom to sooth this one man’s wrath.
A joke’s been played, and now the whole world knows
when strategists can simply not come close.
II
When strategists can simply not come close
to structuring a social plan he’ll own
because that’s not his nature, I suppose,
to countenance a theme not his alone.
it’s up to us to put in place the cures.
to emphasize the common traits we share
to act in ways that lifts and reassures,
and in so doing, demonstrate we care.
For when embracing one who’s not like us
we elevate each other in one act
and make one wonder, “Why’s there such a fuss”
because some folks are white and others black?”
Humanity can’t push the dark away
When prejudice and ownership hold sway
III
When prejudice and ownership hold sway
we’ll learn from him of course, “both sides are nice”;
torch waivers shouting, and the KKK
our leader told us that, not once – but twice.
Division’s easily sparked by self-served men.
“divide and conquer”‘s been a rule of war
and politicians use it now and then.
and clearly for this man, it’s worked before.
His second cadre is the really rich.
He promised he’d not act to steal their swag
so they’re secure within that favored niche
and they’ll support him, though he makes them gag.
It will take time; can’t all be done today.
Supremacy is hard to take away
IV
Supremacy is hard to take away
when it’s a myth embedded in one’s thought.
My hubris is my due, and it’s okay.
I can’t reject the mantra I’ve been taught
when it’s been taught since God himself knows when.
Intra species violence seems nature’s rule
but man’s cerebra’s special to our ken;
that ought to elevate mankind from drool.
I think, therefore I am; and I can hate,
and love, and hoard, and share, and laugh, and cry
and better that I learn before too late
my legacy will be here when I die.
Let’s shut down hate before a darkness starts
While ample strength abides in good men’s hearts
V
While ample strength abides in good men’s hearts
an egotist in power can raise hell.
Our being, (set forth by Rene’ Descartes)
is not enough, unless that self does well
to overpower fulminating hate.
So join me, partner, let us all arise,
and show by actions, we’ll not take the bait
to shed the human love that he’d abscise.
Ask one whose dress, or style, or even race
sets him apart from what defines your norm,
to join you, (when in a convenient place)
then feel your prejudice and fears deform.
A compliment, or kindness, is the start;
It comes from human consciousness, in part.
VI
It comes from human consciousness, in part,
the urge to hug or shake a friendly hand.
The urge to smile, I think, comes from our heart
and goodness urges us to take a stand.
But conscious will’s required to give it weight.
If we’ve an appetite for brotherhood
our reasons and results will resonate
by sharing joy of doing others good.
Sometimes I want to quit this muddled mess,
just stand aside and let the chaos reign,
but that would yield to his nurtured abscess
and bullies’ volume would increase again.
Our humor’s something we need never ration
So laugh at “tweets”, then spread around compassion.
VII
So laugh at “tweets”, then spread around compassion.
A bonded population’s more effective
at viewing “tweets” with thought and calm dispassion
then smiling at, and mocking his invective.
Diminish him until he’s out of fashion.
We sometimes make electoral mistakes
and cast a vote that’s lacking any passion.
Then riding out the storm is what it takes.
When we, object, to no avail, devices
he’s used to denigrate and target some,
we must reject and obviate his vices.
Til all can see how little he’s become.
The odds we’ll change his mind are not that close,
When arguments are simply otiose
Reprise:
When arguments are simply otiose
because his mind’s his mind, mind you, not yours.
when strategists can simply not come close
it’s up to us to put in place the cures.
When prejudice and ownership hold sway
division’s easily sparked by self-served men.
Supremacy is hard to take away
when it’s been taught since God himself knows when.
While ample strength abides in good men’s hearts
to overpower fulminating hate
It comes from human consciousness, in part,
but conscious will’s required to give it weight.
So laugh at “tweets”, then spread around compassion.
Diminish him until he’s out of fashion.
Sephallian Reverse Sonnet
The Sephallian Reverse Sonnet
was invented in April, 2013 by poet Dennis Nguyen, aka Sephallia on Allpoetry.com.
The poem is generally presented as a quatrazain since it is intended to be read either from top to bottom, or from bottom up. There is no prohibition to
presenting it in stanzas.
The DEFINING characteristic of this form is that when read in the normal fashion, the poem has a pessimistic tone, but when read from bottom to top, it becomes and optimistic poem.
The rhyme scheme is abcdeedcbaffa and may optionally be written as a refrain sonnet as A1bcdeedcbA2ffA2A1.
Meter and line-length are at the poet’s discretion.
Volta, which is recommended, but not demanded, can occur anywhere between L4 and L11. The poem can have one in each direction.
This is a challenging and rewarding form.
Example Poem
A Measure of Character(Sephiallan Reverse Sonnet)
What you are told in confidence
if you hold secret to your breast
reward will flow in unknown ways.
An urge to propagate a tale
to pique the interest of a friend
there can surely be no good end
when confidences you assail
a gentle whispered word betrays
when silence serves your honor best
Your revelation makes no sense
I’ll never trust my thoughts with you
if other’s secrets you will spew
If rumors gain some cognizance
From what you’re told in confidence .
© Lawrencealot – April 15, 2013
Visual Template
The template below represents an Iambic tetrameter
sonnet, without a refrain. the shaded lines indicate
where the refrains would occur if one were chosen.
Philippine Sonnet
Quatorzain – Generally Iambic Pentameter
Volta at or following line 9
3 Quatrains + Couplet
Rhyme scheme: aaaa bbbb aaaa cc
This is a form invented by Jose Rizal M. Reyes of the Philippines
Example Poem:
Morning Coffee, Before Work (Philippine Sonnet)
The do-nut shop was open every day
we gathered there so we could have our say.
The “regulars” would leave their cup to stay
on hook-board: their own coffee cup buffet.
The hunters met the councilmen and cops,
and teachers met their students’ moms and pops.
The farmers spoke of watering their crops,
and sporting brags and bullshit never stops.
A newcomer just didn’t hold much sway
the coffee group was small-town thought per-se
The men would read, the women might crochet
until the conversation turned their way.
I learned more there than I did watching news
and found a balanced set of rural views.
© Lawrencealot – October 30, 2012
American Forte
Invented by Jose Rizal M. Reyes of the Philippines
Quatrazain
Iambic Petameter
Three Quatrains + Ending couplet
Rhyme Scheme: abab bbcc cdcd dd
Associated form: American Libra = abab bbcc cdcd ee
Example Poem
Example Poem
Lead and Follow (American Forte Sonnet)
Just follow your individual quest.
Pursue what stimulates your mind and soul.
When you’ve done jobs with care, and done your beat
That’s all that counts and that’s your only role.
Compare not yourself; other’s have their goal,
which may not seem in synch, in part or whole.
You need not better any one, but need
to do your very best, then you succeed.
You may have skills enabling you to lead.
That leadership is not the goal, you see.
But if you can help others when they need
a guide, you just help building their esprit.
Where you should follow, don’t compete; be free
to play roles that enhance in small degree.
© Lawrencealot Oct.16, 2012