She is queen bitch,
a dark storyteller who
plucks words from
a coffee-stained alphabet
that makes pretty sound
like it has fangs and crows are
lullaby saints of midnight cradles.
A poised midwife of birthing mordacity
she sings mockingbird hymns
to narcissists whose self-absorption
has no skill in the discernment of mockery.
Sister Eris, of the Silk Tongue Order of Discord,
has a pharmacy of ironic elixirs, drivel of headlines,
and bombastic bloat, to anethestize sheep
so they will remain oblivious their promised future
is being built from recycled failure of the past.
©Susie Clevenger 2022
Lullaby saints of midnight cradles, goodness that's fine writing. This poem aims straight at the heart of Make America Gross Again nation and hits center target.
ReplyDeleteBtw I had a poem up for this, on the same subject, but took it down to work on some more.
I noted the same lines Shay quoted. Stellar writing, Susie. Speaking Truth. Those closing lines drive the point home.
ReplyDeleteI like the way this poem juxtaposes words in dense groups which are packed with attitude and meaning. The picture it gives of the central character is a mirror of the state of our polity in general, and the growing toxicity of the discussion around it. Really an excellent, biting piece, Susie.
ReplyDeleteCaustic imagery of a caustic political climate, where speech is a "queen bitch" and we are invited into her alluring narcissism and bombast as "anesthetized sheep." Brilliant as always, Susie.
ReplyDeleteThese gorgeous lines are sharp like a knife my friend! Words hold power in so many ways, and this captures the dark and light side of it brilliantly! I am so glad you were featured at Shay's Word List!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written Susie.
ReplyDelete"words from / a coffee-stained alphabet" is terrific!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a powerful poem, Susie, scathingly honest in a way I love. I understand the queen bitch from the off and marvel at her bravery to speak her mind and blaze a trail. I love the second stanza especially. The last two lines of the third stanza have such a wisdom about them also shrouded in sorrow which is thought-provoking <3
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