The Sordid Boon
Relentless doom-scroll gently civilizes
Our minds, once prone to thought and other crimes.
Authentic selves come in standard sizes –
Pre-vetted truths, convenient for our times.
Lived experience shall guide us like the Star,
On this, good citizens, there’s no debate.
We now identify: my pronouns are –
And silence stamps the form: Approved. The State.
Fluid, of course, though flowing one clear way;
All doubt soon hardens into rigid truth.
The body waits, a draft, all parts in play –
Now mold it to the mind-shape of our youth.
The crowd bestows this sordid boon with grace:
Belong, be safe – yet always learn your place
Written in response to The Skeptics Kaddish W3 Prompt #190
Our minds, once prone to thought and other crimes. ”
Edwaert Collier (Dutch, 1640-1707)
Vanitas: Still Life with Books and Manuscripts and a Skull, 1663
Pre-vetted truths, convenient for our times.”
René Magritte, The Lovers,1928
Lenin’s Genius Illuminates our Path!
Alexander Nikolaevich Dobrov, 1962
Aleksandr Deineka, The Defense of Petrograd, 1928
M.C. Escher, Waterfall, 1961
The Sea of Ice, Caspar David Friedrich 1823 – 1824;
Government Bureau, George Tooker 1956
Fernand Léger. Three Women 1921-22
The Pillars of Society, George Grosz, 1926
Brilliant! Such a creative choice of artworks!
Josie, that line “silence stamps the form: Approved. The State” really got under my skin — it feels uncomfortably close to home. I’m also really glad you joined us at W3; your voice already feels like it belongs here <3 <3 <3
Much love,
David
Hi David – It is rather chilling. But not at all farfetched. Far too close to home.
Kafka crossed with Orwell to use the usual cliched references.
Thank you for your comment. For getting it all going. And for the welcome.
I look forward to read more of your work! <3
Your choices of accompanying art is a priceless addition to this timely piece.
Thanks Violet. Some pieces chose themselves and others I had to hunt for.
Very creative! I love the cento quality this possesses!
The cento quality. That’s an interesting observation. (I love mixing and matching and mash-ups.)
Wow! This poem packs a punch. And then to scroll through and see that you used lines from so many sources. Double-wow! I think my favorite — or the one that spoke to me loudest — was the last line: “Belong, be safe – yet always learn your place” So very powerful.
Thanks Sally
Excellent Josie!
Kind of you to say so. Thanks.
Awesome poem and post! I especially like ‘once prone to thought and other crimes’! 👏
Thanks Shaun. There was reason for the establishment of the Thought Police. Very dangerous and dodgy thing, thinking. We’re better off leaving all that to the designated ones.