The Bread of Oligarchy

Men Fighting ~ Leonard Defrance


We rally around our prejudices,
take deep breaths of offense
until its vinegar coats every word.

Opinion has grown stale in its repetition;
day old bread thrown to wolves who choose
its mold over the fresh yeast of harmony.

The diplomacy of intellectual discourse
has fallen victim to an Oligarchy
 selling fear while stealing freedom.

©Susie Clevenger 2015

I was inspired by the writings of Dante Alighieri

Real Toads Flash 55 Plus

Comments

Kerry O'Connor said…
This poem has the wow factor for me. Such tight verse, great word choice and resounding message. Very well done.
July 6, 2015 at 12:58 AM
Anonymous said…
Very nicely done and all too true.
July 6, 2015 at 4:58 AM
Marian said…
Me too, wow. That first line is just about all of it, isn't it? Thank you, Susie.
July 6, 2015 at 5:15 AM
Sherry Blue Sky said…
I am thoroughly wowed as well. Wolves "who choose its mold over the fresh yeast of harmony." Fantastic verbiage, my friend!!!!! "Selling fear while stealing freedom" - very tight write!
July 6, 2015 at 12:44 PM
Outlawyer said…
You are so right, Susie. It is terrible --but the poem is wonderful. Thanks.k.
July 6, 2015 at 3:41 PM
Sanaa Rizvi said…
This is absolutely brilliant :D
Beautifully penned.

Lots of love,
Sanaa
July 6, 2015 at 4:53 PM
Gail said…
selling fear while stealing freedom...this rings so true. All is truth and scary that so few are trying to improve it.

Well done.

Thanks for visiting.
July 8, 2015 at 8:16 AM
brudberg said…
Alas.. a world where compromise is considered a weakness. Where diplomacy a failure to the strength of arms.. It seems that we never learn
July 9, 2015 at 2:11 AM
hedgewitch said…
Yes, and the sad part of it is that it breeds more and more division, so that one finds it hard to even listen to the other side any more--your opening stanza really nails that. I remember when people could disagree, but have a discussion, a rational, non-shouting, non-accusatory discussion, about their differences, but that time seems to be gone. Couldn't agree with this more.
July 9, 2015 at 7:30 AM
grapeling said…
yes. unfortunately. ~
July 9, 2015 at 3:05 PM
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