Burst the lock,
release the chain,
we ask for different
but get the same—
save (sell) our souls
in forward exchange.
Our customary
currency:
owe the Reserve, owe
the Chinese,
bail out you, bail
out me,
come one, come all,
handouts are “free”!
We’ll see who’ll hold
the master key
come the year 20-16
and be the next
to blame the wreck
on the last jalopy
presidency.
© 2014 Jennifer
Wagner
For Imaginary Garden with Real Toads.
Michael (Grapeling) has provided a list of 10 words for us in which to
craft a poem. I used 5 of the 10 he offered.
Also for Poets United Midweek Motif: The Key
and the Poetry Pantry
US Debt Clock: 17 Trillion and Counting
"We’ll see who’ll hold the master key"..yes to wait and see...and i don't think much will change...nice lines :)
ReplyDeleteThey are all the same by the time they reach the top.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine how massive the debts and problems are ~ Who holds the master key - not the US people nor the US government for sure ~ Great political poem Jennifer ~
ReplyDeleteHa, blame is always the game.
ReplyDeleteThe names change, but the game stays the same.
ha.always the problem of the party that is in office, while they look at the previous regime....ugh....our system is broken...and when the chinese call in their debt....we will end up in WWIII because we can not repay it....
ReplyDeletean interesting commentary. the master key like any form of power has a way of leading people astray. too many doors to choose from and we much rather open new ones than deal appropriately with the ones already ajar.
ReplyDeleteVery effective political poem--- they are difficult to write effectively because it's all too easy to come out with a mishmash of unoriginal talking points. You have managed to avoid the pitfalls and have done very well. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletepoignant statement, luv the rhyme, luv the wit, Have a nice Sunday
ReplyDeletemuch love...
"we ask for different, but get the same". I think the structure is so top-heavy, there is little that can be done to change it. Maybe after it collapses, we can finally have change.
ReplyDelete...our responsibility and actions dictate the future. Government is only one of our resources for development. Use it wisely. :-)
ReplyDeleteGood rant!
ZQ
At the end the money's still the same, no matter who holds the key.
ReplyDeletewho holds the master key..this is a scary thought...I am not sure I want to know..money is money and greed is greed..
ReplyDeleteLove that last line " the last jalopy presidency" - what an image. I can just see it sputtering and back-firing as it rattles off.
ReplyDeletegood grief, isn't this the truth ' we ask for different but get the same—' I share the frustration, Jennifer! K
ReplyDeletemeanwhile, the Navy deafens whales and children in detention are treated horrifically because they have brown skin. uff. Too late in the evening to get riled up... powerful, Jen ~
ReplyDeleteThe cycle continues on and on and on...sad but true.
ReplyDeleteWell summarized and satirical. Of course we should blame the top man no matter the year. Maybe we should also begin now to do unto others and forgive a debt or more and take care of our own.
ReplyDeleteThis was fun to read, however, I never had a knack for politics. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, this is great, Jennifer. Yes, fun to read - and you've summed up my same sentiments well.
ReplyDelete