Ancient Relic Recording Names of the Nine Archons of Athens
men great and small will hold titles
but the salient fact of democracies
is that no one shall arrogate powers
sufficient to squander the will of the many
we invented republics to stabilize
disparate motives we built the efficient
mechanics to sublimate dangerous
impulses raised up sound frameworks
whose functions may give of a prosperous
civics respective of commonweal needs
where then and when did we fail
ourselves turning away from self-rule
leaving all the hard work and rewards
to a band of self-interested ideologues
who would rather bring grandeur to ruin
than serve the Vox Populi following rules
that depersonalize fluid governing
powers invested in laws not in men
more crucially why did we fail the
sparked prescient uniquely enlightened
scheme penned by remarkable founders
in doing so we have perforce placed each
yet unborn soul in the palms of uncouth
unclean hands shaped and purposed by
notional foul gnostic demiurge tenets
yet here we are blithely devolved through
our forfeit of status as citizens once again
crawling through life ignominious subjects
From my book Pieces of Wine
I have no doubt it is due to the free-market run amok and the unlimited power of the corporations who now buy/sell the government as though it were their ‘stock’ . . .
LikeLiked by 2 people
I don’t believe the free market per se is either amok or responsible, but corps and individuals have certainly bought and deeply corrupted our birthright of self-rule
LikeLike
We dissolve in their digesting juices oblivious, delighting in the seeming warmth, the lightness, the lifting of responsibility….
“Let them rot” we mumble, whilst loosing our very own toes and fingers…
Love the way your bile enriches towards the end with more complex sounds!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you for your most creative and poignant commentary, simon
LikeLike
A speech delivered by one who sees the trees not just the forest. Blindingly good and important poem for those of us who care – whatever side of the fence.
LikeLiked by 1 person
your forest/trees comment is triggering another idea for a poem
LikeLike
Made my day.
LikeLike
Bravo to you in capturing rich textures and concepts that caring thinking humans need to consider at this exact moment in time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
and yet, so very many seem not to care a whit
LikeLike
I can really relate to this! Great thoughts my friend, keep them coming. =)
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks kindly
LikeLike
all can be bought.. and there are always questions that buy votes and cost nothing
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m ashamed of what we’ve wrought
LikeLike
Yes, this is a painstakingly real look at our world today and I thank you for writing it!
LikeLike
it was my pleasure
LikeLike
Another poignant chronicle of what we have descended into. Thanks for writing it.
LikeLike
much appreciated, maine
LikeLike
Reblogged this on OUR POETRY CORNER.
LikeLike
thank you for sharing my poem with your readers
LikeLike
always WELCOME!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Poesy plus Polemics.
LikeLike
This is, perhaps, the most powerful piece that I have read of yours. Well stated. Far too much depth to be absorbed in one reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
that comment means a great deal to me – thank you most sincerely
LikeLike
Tremendous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
much appreciated
LikeLike
I think this ties in with your other poem today, just read, on family abandonment. This one makes me think of the fall of the Roman Empire – pacify the populace with placebos, guarantee their only concerns to be of venial, all power acceded to those who would take it and responsibility renounced by being nannied. Easier then to walk away from all responsibility – even that of family. When that can be done, the rest is a no-brainer. We reap what we sow and relinquish.
I rail against unjust governance but I despair, at times, of people’s abrogation of responsibility for all manner of things. Rights and responsibility need redressing.
A powerful poem, Paul. (I really need to stop alliterating!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
your comment, as does your poetry, stirs me – thank you sincerely Anne-Marie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on scottishmomus and commented:
Rights and responsibilities. Take them or leave them – not one without the other.
LikeLike
thank you for sharing my poem with your readers
LikeLiked by 1 person
Scottishmomus is right, we are reaching that stage of the Roman Empire when they give us glitter to distract us. It is the beginning of the end….unless WE change.
We stand in our truth by being silent…that truth is fear to speak, act in such a way that those that inflict this glitter realise that a point has been reached where their actions will no longer be tolerated. Always we need to change to effect change.
Great post Paul. Mark
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks kindly, Mark – and likewise, a great comment
LikeLiked by 1 person