territory
Do we like to see this world more tolerant, more compassionate? But bigotry, xenophobia, chauvinism, and a host of other -ism masking as self-righteousness are building walls and barriers. And governments are leaning on protectionism and citizen control.
And all this mentality filters down to the man in the street. Only when you run with the wolves will you understand.
photo by ArielleJay at morguefile.com
territory
small talk at beer tables can escalate into big arguments.
the fact that alcohol is involved does not help matters.
just like modern governments, the escalation bit, i mean.
it's not over beer, usually some small islands everyone wants.
they don't shout and wave a smashed beer bottle at people, like us.
they send in a couple of patrol boats or warships, waving guns.
it's a wonder we had lasted so long.
but let's go back to the peasants like us
talking to the fluorescent lights and moon...
a broken beer bottle
intimidates
because
you are not sure
what harm it can do
how the jagged edges
will cut
if a shard will break
and buries in
your guts.
a bearing scrapper
a cleaver
we know what
the steel can do
so
the other day
at the coffeeshop
when the cleaner
accidentally
drops a mug
the sound
of shattering glass
like a gong
in a small room.
we jump
chairs clatter
glance close
glance quick
who the fuck did that?
the poor aunty, cursing
and looking for a broom
and we settle down again
muttering
throw out the ice cubes
pour another glass
call out to the beer lady,
for a couple more bottles
as the drama forgotten
(like those border stand-offs)
and we resume
our drinking
to see who
will be the first one
to drop over
the edge.
written 27/09/2015
revised 21/10/2018
****************
a strange piece of work. i am afraid to call it a poem.
Glance close, glance quick, but don’t stare.
*
from “Sovereign Nation” by Jeff Alessandrelli.
This poem was inspired by the lines from the above poem & some bottles of beer. This is a prompt from the Bibliomancy Oracle. It can work in aggressive ways.
© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2018
And all this mentality filters down to the man in the street. Only when you run with the wolves will you understand.
territory
small talk at beer tables can escalate into big arguments.
the fact that alcohol is involved does not help matters.
just like modern governments, the escalation bit, i mean.
it's not over beer, usually some small islands everyone wants.
they don't shout and wave a smashed beer bottle at people, like us.
they send in a couple of patrol boats or warships, waving guns.
it's a wonder we had lasted so long.
but let's go back to the peasants like us
talking to the fluorescent lights and moon...
a broken beer bottle
intimidates
because
you are not sure
what harm it can do
how the jagged edges
will cut
if a shard will break
and buries in
your guts.
a bearing scrapper
a cleaver
we know what
the steel can do
so
the other day
at the coffeeshop
when the cleaner
accidentally
drops a mug
the sound
of shattering glass
like a gong
in a small room.
we jump
chairs clatter
glance close
glance quick
who the fuck did that?
the poor aunty, cursing
and looking for a broom
and we settle down again
muttering
throw out the ice cubes
pour another glass
call out to the beer lady,
for a couple more bottles
as the drama forgotten
(like those border stand-offs)
and we resume
our drinking
to see who
will be the first one
to drop over
the edge.
written 27/09/2015
revised 21/10/2018
****************
a strange piece of work. i am afraid to call it a poem.
Glance close, glance quick, but don’t stare.
*
from “Sovereign Nation” by Jeff Alessandrelli.
This poem was inspired by the lines from the above poem & some bottles of beer. This is a prompt from the Bibliomancy Oracle. It can work in aggressive ways.
© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2018
Labels: beer, community, crime, ennui, Poetry, politics, rant, social issues
posted by dsnake1 at 10:22 PM
11 Comments:
Sometimes I think the world would be better if territorial conflicts were solved as beer brawling instead... after all it flames shortly and then cools down again.
You painted that scene so clearly I can see it, and almost hear the crash. It is true, what is being spouted by the higher-ups is sadly trickling down into daily interactions. This is not humanity's finest hour.
This was really interesting--I like the way you bring everything down to people on a normal night, reminding me that sometimes what feels abnormal is, like it or not, a common reaction to a common situation.
You have constructed a very impactful connection. Put us in any setting: we remain, mere mortals. Our flaws - sadly - seem to be an aspect of our 'humanness' that is constant and intractable … the stakes just keep getting bigger and more lethal.
I guess tempers do tend to run high once people start drinking.. Powerful write!
Yes, this sounds like life as it (unfortunately) is!
Wow, Fella! Well captured ...a perfect "snapshot".
ZQ
I think it's a poem, and a wonderful poem, showing humanity's quarrelsomeness on both personal and national levels. And oh, what a powerful final image (at all levels).
Bjorn,
:) and we slap each other's backs and have another round of drinks!
but power, once tasted, is hard to let go..
Sherry,
sadly, i guess these times are not...
Chrissa,
interesting way you put it.
i was there and it was pretty jarring. we were not expecting the sound, but it was quite common for things dropping.
like, a complex problem is solved by simpler solutions? :)
Wendy,
we are but mere mortals. but we do have the capacity for change. it's just we want it or not. :(
thank you for the fine comment. :)
Sanaa,
oh yes. (i was there). :D
Mary,
unfortunately, yes. :(
ZQ,
thank you! I'll drink to that! :)
Rosemary,
and life goes on.
thank you!
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