Asymmetrical Warfare

Tags

Asymmetrical Warfare, Guerrilla war, poem, poetry, Triolet, Unwinnable wars

𝐀𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥  𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞

The powerful complain that it’s not fair

When they are badly beaten by the weak.

When weaklings bring ignoble force to bear,

The powerful complain that it’s not fair.

The weak by any means may trap or snare;

By treachery and cunning havoc wreak.

The powerful complain that it’s not fair

When they are badly beaten by the weak.

— 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

A Vow of Silence

Tags

poem, poetry, Triolet, Vow of Silence

𝗔  𝗩𝗼𝘄  𝗼𝗳  𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

For thirty years you haven’t said a word;

But now we’ll set you free to tell your tale.

Had you said anything we would have heard —

For thirty years you haven’t said a word.

You gave no hint, no clue to what occurred,

But now you may — those secrets have gone stale.

For thirty years you haven’t said a word;

But now we’ll set you free to tell your tale.

— D.N. O’Brien

A Bottom-up Problem

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poetry, poem, democracy, Demos, Triolet

𝐀  𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦-𝐮𝐩  𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦

The quality of a democracy

Depends upon the state of the demos.

Observe the voters — for it’s there you’ll see

The quality of a democracy.

Do they choose to be safe, or to be free?

Love liberty, or couldn’t give a toss?

The quality of a democracy

Depends upon the state of the demos.

— D.N. O’Brien

𝐍𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Tags

climate change, Climate Change Scam, Noble Cause Corruption, poem, poetry, Triolet

𝐍𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞  𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞  𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Corruption’s fine when there’s a noble cause.

And noble causes multiply these days.

And whether Climate Change or pointless wars,

Corruption’s fine when there’s a noble cause.

The corporations kneel, and profit soars;

 The nobles choose the tune, the piper plays.

Corruption’s fine when there’s a noble cause.

And noble causes multiply these days.

— D.N. O’Brien

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐔𝐤𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞!

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poem, poetry, Triolet, Ukraine

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐔𝐤𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞!

The Russians have so much to lose,

We have so much to gain!

They want out help — do not refuse!

Destabilize Ukraine!

Don’t let the Russian speakers choose;

We need her fields of grain!

So with the West, Ukraine must fuse —

(So thinks the German brain).

— D.N. O’Brien

A True Believer?

Tags

Australian poet, poem, poetry, Triolet

𝐀 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫?

You say that you believe in God — I say,
Then surely you must strive to be a saint.
From His well-beaten path you must not stray.
You say that you believe in God — I say,
If that be so His word you must obey —
Faith’s burdens must be borne without complaint.
You say that you believe in God — I say,
Then surely you must strive to be a saint.

— D.N. O’Brien

𝐍𝐨 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤)

Tags

Australian poet, Facebook bans news links in Australia, poem, poetry, Triolet

𝐍𝐨 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤)

In news to hand “The News” has just been killed.
Who killed it? Facebook says they’ve no idea.
Its heart by some unknown force has been stilled.
In news to hand “The News” has just been killed.
The vacuum that it leaves will soon be filled
By trivia, so there’s no cause for fear.
In news to hand “The News” has just been killed.
Who killed it? Facebook says they’ve no idea.

— D.N. O’Brien

Battle Dress

Tags

Australian poet, poem, poetry, Trans soldiers, Trans women, Triolet

𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬

Our general’s at the front charging the guns!
The Taliban are heading for the hills!
He hitches up his skirt — clenches his buns!
Our general’s at the front charging the guns!
His bra is binding — his mascara runs!
The Taliban are all preparing wills!
Our general’s at the front charging the guns!
The Taliban are heading for the hills!

— D.N. O’Brien

What Bolsheviks?

Tags

Australian poet, Bolsheviks, poem, poetry, Russian revolution, Soviet Union, Triolet

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐤𝐬?

Who are these Bolsheviks you talk about?
You mean those harmless fools? They don’t scare me!
Those crazy nuts who like to scream and shout?
Who are these Bolsheviks you talk about?
As sure as I’m a Russian, they’ve no clout,
No influence; my comrades all agree!
Who are these Bolsheviks you talk about?
You mean those harmless fools? They don’t scare me!

— D.N. O’Brien