painting by Daryl Joyce
Tempest
“Hell is empty, and all the devils are here.”
--William Shakespeare.
Huge Congressional waves
are crested with malevolent chaos.
For over two years,
calm seas have been rare.
The helmsman is mad
as Lear,
and the oarsmen row
as obedient lemmings;
their strokes uneven--
the ship wandering
in circles;
no safe harbor
on the horizon.
Glenn Buttkus
Posted over at dVerse Poets Pub
Madman across the water
ReplyDeleteIt seems like we are all lost to the whims of the madman at the helm...
ReplyDeleteand remember that we are lucky enough to still sail on the calmest of seas, I wonder what would happen in a storm.
A poem entitled 'Tempest' has to have a quotation from Shakespeare! I love the way you portray the mad helmsman, surrounded by malevolent Congressional waves. I think the whole world is waiting for that sheep to keel, Glenn.
ReplyDeleteOh how I hope there is safe harbor soon - hello, Glen, my friend - I always love your dramatic and cinematic writes.
ReplyDeleteYou are on a political roll Glenn! the helmsman is mad but not so much as the mad people who elected him and gives him his head.
ReplyDeleteYour poem speaks to the current madness beautifully. Very well done!
ReplyDeleteOh my! I LOVE this one! I just unplugged my laptop from charging, took it into the bedroom, and read it aloud to my husband. His exact words? "Bravo, Glenn!" My sentiments exactly. LOVE the line about the lemmings....and mad as Lear. Every day the news is crazy and comes at such a crazy pace! It makes me dizzy. It's actually a delight to host tonight and just read quadrilles instead of the Washington Post and CNN updates! :) Happy Quadrille Monday, Glenn!
ReplyDeleteNothing to argue with there. A ship of fools - great 'drilleing.
ReplyDeleteWasn't there a famous movie (I can't think of the name) where there was a nutjob at the helm? I think the crew had to take over the ship to regain control. Um, I think it's way past time that we take back the helm. Good one, Glenn, as always.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely epic chaos - no safe harbour for sure.
ReplyDeleteGreat job Glen. Do I feel a hint of political overtones in this stormy tale??
ReplyDeleteNo Harbor to Be Found NoW
ReplyDeletein Captain Gold Member's
Mushroom Crown
Just
Dis
ease
Just
Dis
Order
Yeti Real
StranGling Long
DisMally White Hairs ofT ReaSons
'Mounting' Mistakes of Little Man Judges too.
I feel sad and angry when I read his tweets and speeches. I like your description that he is mad as Lear.
ReplyDeleteThis is a creative poem! I like the metaphor of rough seas and a captain "mad as Lear."
ReplyDeleteThis is quite brilliant and portrays wonderfully the chaos that surrounds us all today.
ReplyDeleteGood writing! Sadly, I agree that there is no safe harbor.
ReplyDeleteGood poem leaves heartbreak.
ReplyDeleteOh, the metaphors and similes here are delightful. I love this kind of a scathing critique.
ReplyDeleteI really admire how the critiques and the opposition to this mad helmsman have been so vehement in your country.
My countrymen are rather dancing to the tune of our own beloved King Lear. It is really despairing.
-HA
amazing drama..reads like many of the poets of yore, nice work.
ReplyDeleteInteresting take on the prompt. I like how you took this prompt to express today's political climate. I'm not sure this storm will pass by so soon though.
ReplyDeleteSo appropriate for the times. All so exhausting.
ReplyDeletePat
The Helmsman has gone mad, I might add sailing the dark abyss of his mind. Brilliant political take on the prompt.
ReplyDeleteI think this world is definitely led by mad men. Lots of them. Well done!
ReplyDeletein my reading I imagined the oarsmen doing the King's bidding , creating those unsettling waves, knowing the havoc they were creating but powerless to disobey
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, Glenn, but this one conjured up such a funny image, a ship rowed by little furry rodents with an orange at the helm screaming about vile jelly and probably witch hunts too. Loved it :)
ReplyDelete