Pressures

By Rhiannonw

Tue, 01 Nov 2022
  • 702 reads
8 comments
 

Who’d be a politician?
– reviled, however hard
they tend to their constituents’ needs,
and pompousness discard.

Who’d be a politician?
– in days when global threats
affect and change our fragile state,
but the country solutions expects.

Who’d be a politician?
– when human eyes can’t see
the wisest course to take ahead
and advisers disagree.

Who’d be politician?
– when many people boast
and claim their insight can’t be wrong,
won’t listen or discuss.

D’you want to be a politician?
– your integrity they’ll doubt
the media, and the public
troll, and slander, privacy flout.

Could you be a politician?
– you’ll need sincerity,
a skin that’s thick, but sensitive
to listen to those who disagree.

Be careful whom you judge,
condemn with little thought
of pressures under which they work,
if by deceit they’re caught.

Would you have stood aright?
if slipping would you want
that someone would be willing
to help you to repent?

[IP: Integrity]

 

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Comments

Submitted by marandina on

I think you are right in that being a politician is a thankless task. Saying that, they do shoot themselves in the foot, metaphorically. Enjoyed the poem and the message about not judging so readily [Is spelling "politician" right in para 2?"] 

 

Take care, Rhiannon. Paul 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks for reading, commenting, and the typo correction, Paul. My eyesight has deteriorated a bit I think, must go to Specsavers again!

It is interesting that we do need politicians! And we can forget the pressures they come under from all sides, and confusion, and are vulnerable to pride etc as we are. Sometimes we notice the falls of some more than others who maybe aren't as open. Also, apologies frequently not accepted even if they seem sincere, it can seem we expect to get perfect politicians, rather than those who are trying and need encouragement not just disbelief and mocking! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

I am always so glad of your wisdom Rhiannon! Being a critic IS  so much easier than being a maker, whether of policy, or poems. Quite apart from everything else, they must need to be so strong physically, and manage on very little sleep. Politicians must need the same sort of characteristics as for dangerous sports I think, the love of risk, and ability to endure whatever disasters appear. I should try to remember this instead of thinking "what did you do that for?"

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Di. They are fallible human beings as we are! And though either side of debates may be genuine, they are capable of getting confused, and that is why we need a responsible opposition to argue carefully, and realise some issues are complex, and not just always assume the worst, and bad motives, and just be very angry! There are probably many who do want to serve others by this hard-working role, not in it for the celebrity status! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Rhiannan

 

How very true, and how well said.

Jean Day

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Jean. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by David Kirtley on

Good poem! I certainly would not want to be a politician! It is a thankless task, with guaranteed criticism. As you say they are only human, and most of us would probably be corrupted by the role to some extent!

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, pertinent comment'! Rhiannon