Undercurrent

Cherry

By luigi_pagano

Mon, 25 Jul 2016
  • 2331 reads
8 comments
 

The acronym WYSIWYG,
(what you see, is what you get)
struck a chord.
It reminded me of a man
who described himself
with those very words
and, for good measure, added:
I am a regular guy.

And we, naively perhaps,
never looked
beneath the surface;
never thought
that the waters below
could be murky.
He had assured us
that it’d be plain sailing.

Convinced us to  nail
our colours to the mast
and follow his vision:
to bring freedom and peace
to the oppressed, at a stroke.
Now we know that they are
more divided and broke
and all because of his lie.

Let’s not beat about the bush,
he was guilty of political profligacy.
No forethought, no exit strategy,
it was bound to end in a mess.
Though regretting the outcome
of a needless, disastrous war,
not admitting he was at fault
is an unpardonable failing.

© Luigi Pagano 2016

Certificate U
Poem
Mutevoli pensieri
Opinion
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by airyfairy on

Very perceptive, Luigi - an acronym to sum up someone who lived by the soundbite and image manipulation.  I never really took to him personally but I both voted for him and, later on, marched in protest against him.   The early years of his government did have some genuine achievements, now - quite rightly - totally overshadowed by the dreadful legacy.  As you say, the failure to even acknowledge the mistake (I'm being generous there) is indeed unpardonable.

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hi, Jane. Thanks for your feedback.
In my old age, I have become a bit of a cynic especially in regard to politicians of all colours. When in opposition they promise the earth, promises that they don't fulfil when they gain power. As the saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
The long-awaited Chilcot report confirmed what we knew way back in 2003 and prompted me to write this tirade of Blair.
I couldn't help but sneak  in a mention of his American co-conspirator and I did this in the first line of the last verse.

 

Submitted by seashore on

Well said Luigi.

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Thanks, Coral. Much appreciated.

Luigi x

 

 

Submitted by Linda Wigzell Cress on

Cleverly put together poem Luigi and great interpretation of IP. Much enjoyed.

Linda

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

As ever, the I.P. is a great motivator, Linda, and I am impelled to try to come up with the goods. I am particularly pleased when the work has the desired effect.
I enjoyed writing it as much as you did reading it.

Thanks, Luigi x

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

Smoothly written. Loved the softly said yet hard hitting words. Oh yes, a better world would be- If we could see the truth throught the lies that blur.

Loved reading this- cherries well deserved.

Penny4athought

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Sometimes using a 'velvet glove' may be the most effective way of putting across a point of view, JoAnne.
Very pleased that this piece was to your liking.

Luigi x