Truth was not his friend.
He lied until the end;
Now, he’ll lie forever.
~Esther Spurrill Jones
I've really been enjoying the epitaphs Michelle has been collecting this month at Today's Little Ditty. I wrote one for the occasion...not funny like most, but certainly heartfelt.
Epitaph for Apathy
In days gone by, I'd assume
our leadership was largely true...
but now I follow and I fume--
my trust has been entombed.
********
Elizabeth Steinglass has the Poetry Friday round-up. Thanks, Liz!
Addendum: My birthday is coming up (March 6), and if anyone (who lives in the U.S.) wants to sign up for the Let America Vote email list or follow them on Twitter or Facebook in honor of my b'day, I would love it. Preserving the right to vote is basic and crucial.
17 comments:
The epitaph poems have been ingenious. Writing them is a bit addictive! (Well, at least trying to write them...)Your epitaph is sadly apt. I do hope we can shake off the apathy and entomb it, rather than our energy and a bit of fueling optimism. Entombed trust--what a sad notion that is.
Cleverly done, Tabatha, and sad but true. Starting last week, I noticed an uptake in the number of serious epitaphs on the padlet, whether directly related to the shooting or not. As much as I enjoy the humorous ditties, I'm glad that folks are also using the challenge to process their frustrations and strong feelings.
I agree with Michelle. It's good to see the form being used for serious topics and it certainly, sadly, works for this moment. How sad to feel our trust has been entombed and yet it's true.
Clever, Tabatha. I've been reading some of the epitaph poems and find them interesting. I'll have to try my hand at it sometime.
Yes, having trust entombed is sad but only too true. It's been very interesting to read all the different epitaphs -- has made me appreciate the form a lot more.
Epitaphs are SO fun, with their clever twists on truth -- and yours indeed is both. It's disappointed when we have to bury assumptions. Happy Birthday in advance, btw! Mine is five days before yours.
Well done, the wordplay of 'lie' and the connection to today. I am awash in both hope and outrage. Thanks, Tabatha.
Fun and a funny good time. Love to stop by here for a laugh.
Sad but true, your epitaph–your poor trust–it did give me a laugh! Signed up for "Let America Vote" They 're connected with ActBlue–which ran the video on Emma Gonzalez–good group, thanks!
Happy birthday in advance! I hope by the actual date things will be less entombing. I see public opinion changing, and most definitely by November, the young people will realize the power their vote can have.
I'm touched that you are more optimistic than I am, Diane! (A first?) If it wasn't for the PA Republicans trying to stifle the courts' attempts to make a fairer election map in PA, and AL Republicans getting rid of special elections once their horrible man didn't win, and Trump and Ryan getting rid of the head of the Election Assistance Commission (etc etc), I would be feeling more optimistic, too. I hope the voters do get to make a difference in November.
Brilliant use of humor to make a sobering point. Like Diane, I am seeing reasons for optimism in the midst of all the troubling signs. I think people are becoming more aware and more unhappy with how politicians are gaming the system and resisting change. It also helps me to take a longer view of history I suspect that those living through the Civil War and the Civil Rights moments at times despaired of ever making a dent in the wrongs of the world. Truth and justice moved forward then, and will continue to do so.
"my trust has been entombed" Such a great line. Your words give me much to think about. Thank you for sharing your clever epitaph!
I think there are different kinds of optimism... there's optimism that a large group of people will be committed to making a better future and then there's optimism that our leadership will be trustworthy enough that we can stop watching them like hawks and count on them to do the right thing. You can be optimistic about one and not about the other.
The epitaph is sad but true! Happy birthday!
Happy birthday, Tabatha--in addition to socks and a spanking new poetic license I have joined Let America Vote and made a small contribution. Your epitaph is poignant and hilarious both.
A lot of poets are more political than I'm used to seeing. How can we be silent? I'm enjoying your music, too, from your Monday post.
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