Revision

Tags

poem, poetry, Revisionist history, Triolet

𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

According to the present, judge the past;

Then all we once thought good we’ll know to shun.

The flag must fly forever at half-mast.

According to the present, judge the past.

Let history be shattered by the blast,

And heap the father’s guilt upon the son.

According to the present, judge the past;

Then all we once thought good we’ll know to shun.

— D.N. O’Brien

The Damned

Tags

damned, poem, poetry

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐧𝐞𝐝

Damned for living in a time

When to care was not a crime.

When it seemed that it was best

To take them from a befouled nest.

Accused of genocidal war.

Damned forever after for

Trying but to save a kid.

Damned no matter what they did.

— D.N. O’Brien

Repetition

Tags

couplet, epigram, poem, poetry, rebounding universe theory, repetition

Repetition

Love life, but do not fear its end —

Your next one’s waiting round the bend.

— D.N. O’Brien

Хлеб и цирки

Tags

Bread and Circuses, Communism, Juvenal, limerick, Limerick poetry, poem, poetry, Russian revolution

Хлеб и цирки

Before they could tend to the rot,

The nobles were gulaged or shot.

And all things that were good,

And the crosses of wood —

Bread and circuses replaced the lot.

— D.N. O’Brien

Age

Tags

Aging, Bird song, poem, poetry

𝐀𝐠𝐞

Oh to be a bird at dawn,

Knowing not when it was born.

Sings its song as if its first.

By no memories accursed.

Lives each day as if its last.

Doesn’t count the seasons past.

Cleverer than any sage —

Has no wish to know its age.

— D.N. O’Brien

Dead End

Tags

Lies, limerick, poem, poetry

Dead End

The carcass, corruption it leaks,

Yet rises it up, and it speaks:

“By The Lie we were led

To this land of the dead,

So be warned of the havoc it wreaks.”

— D.N. O’Brien

.

The Same

Tags

Bird trapping, Finches, poem, poetry

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐞

The finches look the same to me

As those I trapped so long ago.

They flit about the bunya tree

And look at me as if they know

Me from before, when I was young.

Perhaps they are the same bright birds,

For I recall the same tunes sung —

And quite unaltered are their words.

— D.N. O’Brien

Broad Tents (and Churches)

Tags

broad churches, Broad tents, limerick, poem, poetry

Broad Tents (and Churches)

Within a broad tent you reside,

But what if the tent is too wide?

What if some tent dwellers

Aren’t trustworthy fellas —

What If you’re not on the same side?

— D.N. O’Brien

Iron Dome

Tags

Iron Dome, Israel, poem, poetry

𝗜𝗿𝗼𝗻  𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗲

The tiny state shows you the way,

Yet you unroll your mats and pray,

For holy men you must obey,

And fire your missiles every day.

Your holy men say they are wise —

These bolts will spell the state’s demise,

Yet to the heavens cast your eyes,

As rockets shatter in the skies.

— D.N. O’Brien

Crystal Clear

Tags

poem, poetry, Red China, Taiwan, Triolet

𝐂𝐫𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥  𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫

It’s clear as crystal, so cannot be seen —

Red China’s plan to take over the world.

They see no need to lay a thick smokescreen —

It’s clear as crystal, so cannot be seen.

A bitter and revengeful war machine —

On conquered isles their scarlet flag’s unfurled.

It’s clear as crystal, so cannot be seen —

Red China’s plan to take over the world.

— D.N. O’Brien