World War Zero

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Australian poet, Australian traditional poetry, Crimean War, Formal poetry, poem, poetry, Triolet, World War Zero

(“The Crimean War is one of the bad jokes of history.” – Philip Guedalla)

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝  𝐖𝐚𝐫  𝐙𝐞𝐫𝐨

The Ottoman Empire is in decline —

Six hundred thousand men prepare to die.

In Europe noble relatives sip wine —

The Ottoman Empire is in decline.

The nobles fear the Russians wish to dine

On Turkey — they’ll wage war on Nicolai.

The Ottoman Empire is in decline —

Six hundred thousand men prepare to die.

— D.N. O’Brien

𝐀𝐧 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡

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Ancient Rome, Australian poet, Formal poetry, poem, poetry, Triolet

𝐀𝐧  𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥  𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡

Times are much like the dying days of Rome.

The parallels are too clear to ignore.

To roost, the chickens are returning home —

Times are much like the dying days of Rome.

That history recorded in the tome,

Of plague, decay, decline, and civil war.

Times are much like the dying days of Rome.

The parallels are too clear to ignore.

— D.N. O’Brien

Revision

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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

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

Tags

democracy, Demos, poem, poetry, 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