U.S. of Hey (Also Bonus From Mitch McConnell)
U.S. of Hey!
Hey!
What you say
we build enough bombs
to blow the sky
sky-higher!
That’ll save the world!
And how’s about we sell
a ton of tons!
Light a fire
under the economy!
Hell, we’re kind of an empire
(only, you know, the good kind)–
we can just give
a bunch away! What the hey!
(Especially to anyone sired–get it?–in oil! Heh
heh–)
(Even anyone just near
oil!)
Wait a sec!
That guy might have bombs!
And oil!
Let’s bomb him!
That’ll sure keep us from war!
(Treaty, schmeaty!
Accord? BORing!)
Oh yeah! And for those of you
at home–did I mention all
the spare tanks?!
*************************
Here’s a quick one for the incomparable Hedgewitch’s very informative prompt on Real Toads to write about folly. My 15th for April, this 2015 National Poetry Month.
Okay–and here’s one more:
From Mitch McConnell–Re Coal
Who cares that all of its processes
are vastly destructive
of the earth
when we can save bad jobs
in Kentucky where the poor people’s
ecosystem is already
irretrievably degraded, and they are well-used
to black lung?
Besides, the companies are paying me
a ton.
*************************
PS the above pic was taken in Kashmir in the Himalayas a few years ago, shows the soot on the snow, part of the process that causes the melting of glaciers. (I’m sorry that it does not totally fit the post, but hey, it’s April!)
Explore posts in the same categories: news, poetryTags: April 2015 National Poetry Month, Coal from Mitch McConnell's point of view poem, Folly poems, http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com, manicddaily, Nanowrimo, the U.S. of Hey poem, World just might end with a bang and whimper poem
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ManicDDaily 
April 15, 2015 at 9:02 am
I love this, Karin-especially the second poem, which to me says it all about the futility of what is going on. I think politics is always a Folly we build to cover the greed and con games of those who lust for power and glory, but in the present decade, it seems to have become suicidally so, in its little explosive vests covered in dollar signs and the blood of others. The sing-song Hymn to Oil and War is whimsical, but spot on, and of course, more sad–tragic even–than funny, but you carry it off with the lightest of touches. Thanks so much for finding words for this challenge, k.
April 15, 2015 at 9:30 am
Great satire! Bombs and fuel and endless war, oil rigs and fracking, pipelines and black lung. And all the jobs and money created by ignoring full cycles and not anticipating the end. And–get this–the neatest thing is all the intelligence hired to design these follies, in people as remote but less well paid than the corporate owners. Praise the muses that broke out these truths into your very effective pen!
April 15, 2015 at 9:42 am
True, true, and, sadly, more true!
April 15, 2015 at 11:17 am
Loved the use of satire in this poem…!
xoxo
April 15, 2015 at 11:51 am
Cheers ~ and Cheers!
April 15, 2015 at 1:09 pm
You touch on tough topics with a certain humorous tone and somehow it’s befitting…enjoyed your poems, K.
April 15, 2015 at 1:13 pm
Amen ~ and Amen!!
I loved it all, sad though, yes. I would have emphasized your word, “might” as in ‘they “might” have bombs.’ That was GW Bush’s folly.
And before I saw the second poem, I would have told of the hunger and scanty education opportunities for the poor here. You covered that well.
That said, two of my kids and three grandkids are grunts for the BIG OIL (BP was picketed today here, inside their own building. Six were arrested.)
..
April 15, 2015 at 2:03 pm
How I love your post – grinned appreciatively all the way through – LOVE the photo, though the soot in the Himalayas is perturbing. Absolutely agree with your perspective, and appreciate the humor though the reality has caused me to gnash ,my remaining teeth into tiny little stubs!
April 15, 2015 at 2:09 pm
Right on! I’m complete agreement – such a folly, such a waste. Great poem.
April 15, 2015 at 3:13 pm
Yep. The last line of your second poem says it all. It’s all about moolah.
April 15, 2015 at 7:44 pm
Way to skewer all the bums who are keeping us war-weary and digging for change in our sofas after paying our taxes. Any way we view it, either side of “the aisle” in Congress (gee, thanks, two-party system!), we are being pressed in mind and spirit. And that doesn’t include the many in military service whose minds are being prised from their heads in violent actions. I LOVED THIS. But then, you know me…! Thanks, Amy
April 15, 2015 at 8:15 pm
Ha. Thanks, Amy. k.
April 15, 2015 at 8:38 pm
Love this! We are so war crazy here. Nothing like a good bombing to bring about peace. Oh, and if there is oil…there must be oil.
April 15, 2015 at 10:46 pm
Your satire was oil spot on!
April 15, 2015 at 11:18 pm
Both of these get to me — and though I am unacquainted with Mitch McConnell, you have told me all I need to know about him.
April 16, 2015 at 12:27 am
I’d repeat my ‘f’ from the other day, but that would be, well, fffoolish. but not this pen, K. ~
April 16, 2015 at 1:11 am
“That guy might have bombs!
And oil!
Let’s bomb him!”
I kept on repeating this stanza and laughing. I know it isn’t funny, but my goodness we can’t help it but laugh. It is so damn obvious. But the powers that be just don’t want to look… Folly at huge and dangerous proportions, indeed.
April 16, 2015 at 3:50 am
McConnell’s Folly (and all those of his ilk) is one of short selfish fixes with long shadowy tails. And these guys never die. Thanks.
April 16, 2015 at 8:27 am
Oh yeah! You’ve got the big two represented here, the MIX and just politics in general. Sharp and (unfortunately) all too accurate.
April 16, 2015 at 10:11 am
reeks of sarcasm, nice mood, nice response; particularly luv the line
“(Treaty, schmeaty!
Accord? BORing!)”
much love…
April 16, 2015 at 11:50 am
I need that little icon with the hand covering smiley face’s eyes. It’s all so depressing. I admire your pseudo joviality in the first, which only serves to highlight just how a folly may not be recognized before it is too late.