That bastard is a basilisk,
And death rays come from open lid.
He'll fast be rid of facile risk,
A glance forbids that which you've bid.
To him, this mob's an ornament,
He'll corpse the horde of your decor.
The trinkets will adorn his list
Of items spilled on mortal floor.
He'll soon prevent all retinues
From feeding you your fake respect.
A strobe-effect of global death
Will flash to lash mimetic sect.
He sees the whole, how everything
You seize to hold, you'll cease to own.
When league of cronies leave you lone
They'll leave you prone to fleeting throne.
short, yet still epic!
ReplyDeleteI love the condensed nature of this...
ReplyDeleteThe semi-rhyme on the half line of whole to hold especially:
" He sees the whole, how everything
You seize to hold, you'll cease to own."
and then the end line rhymes own, lone, throne. Makes a really interesting rhythm.
Quite a tale you spin!
ReplyDeleteThe interplay between the 'he'(a god-like figure?) and 'you' of this poem has intrigued me, and I wonder if you had a specific world leader in mind when you wrote it, or speak to the collective: all who seek temporal power.
ReplyDeleteStrong words and a message with impact.
Besides the sense of the poem, I'm focused on the sound. This begs to be read aloud.
ReplyDelete"He'll corpse the horde of your decor." and "You seize to hold, you'll cease to own."....really strong lines!
ReplyDeleteLove the wordplay in these verses, Jack. Cleverly contrived, as always!
ReplyDeleteThat bastard is a basilisk... love it! Superb opening there. And the "You seize to hold" line is a killer. Great work.
ReplyDeleteI also loved the basilisk and the rhyme to it, great wordplay as usual Sir Jack!
ReplyDeletethe last two lines were especially rich.almost reminds me of Macbeth or Lear!
ReplyDeleteI love how you can rhyme and not be sickly sweet.
ReplyDeleteStrong words in a strong poem. I especially enjoyed the first line. Well done.
ReplyDeleteI do so love what you do with words.
ReplyDeleteTo him, this mob's an ornament,
He'll corpse the horde of your decor.
The trinkets will adorn his list
Of items spilled on mortal floor.
I agree - with its rhythm and rhyme, it would be wonderful read aloud.
ReplyDeleteI loved this Jack!
ReplyDeleteReading this, I wondered, "From what well is the diction pulled up? From what source the creativity to construct?" As always, you force your reader to consider meaning and message.
ReplyDeleteThis was a powerful description. I especially liked the opener about the basilisk.
ReplyDeleteHe sees the whole, how everything
ReplyDeleteYou seize to hold, you'll cease to own.
When league of cronies leave you lone
They'll leave you prone to fleeting throne.
Great ending to a great write Jack.
Powerful, I loved imaging who this poem was directed at~
ReplyDeleteWell done