Another Leader Emerges

From sagging huts up in the hills, 
We watched the tourists flash their bills. 
They piled our harvest on their plates, 
While soup and scraps were all we ate. 

The flames lick up from garbage cans, 
Burnt brown like every working man, 
Who shouts or sings or mutters low 
Of the calluses that come and go. 

They toss in straw, more flames shoot up 
To light the faces, hewn and rough, 
that need a creed, some faith to hold; 
to make their insides proud and bold. 

Right then and there, I stand to speak. 
I will not play the lamb so meek. 
The time has come to take back ours 
from the wealthy dogs with fat cigars. 

First cans, then cars, we overturn. 
Now the boulevard begins to burn.. 
The fools shoot back, forget the cost, 
The naked rage must not be lost. 

We win ourselves some new recruits, 
Some young; some old; some simply brutes; 
I do not care where they heard the call. 
The revolution now will need them all. 

Our cause will die if all stays calm, 
So I send out Juan with sweaty palms. 
He won't come back, farewell, my friend. 
Your blood will flow for greater ends. 

Worn out, weary, our morale grows thin. 
The feeling grows that we can not win. 
We need more guns than we can steal, 
But we do have one crop we can deal. 

The rifles have arrived now. Good! 
Excited now, they crack the wood. 
My loathing of red, white and blue, 
is spreading like the jungle flu. 

Their army scatters, their leaders flee. 
We've brought the country to it's knees. 
With the capitol dead in our sights, 
We'll soon assert the people's rights. 

The grainy film does not portray 
That it was a picture perfect day. 
My second stands there, smart and trim. 
It might pay to keep an eye on him. 

We march them out in single file. 
No need to bother with a trial. 
Their baggy shirts and peasant lies 
Betray them all as filthy spies. 

Yes, the people had decreed this so, 
I speak for them so I should know. 
Your crimes have brought you here to die. 
The people speak through me. Goodbye! 

Their bodies jump in crimson leaps, 
then tumble down in tangled heaps. 
Scarlet skulls and splintered chests, 
They'll surely air this in the West. 

Bulldoze the bones and spread the lime, 
For we all are on the side of time. 
And tonight, we gather in the square. 
Their blood has paid my ruling fare.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2007

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Fraser Avatar
May 29, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Gerard, this is awesome, simply awesome, and its going to my favs. Every stanza has mega meaning>James
Golden Avatar
February 3, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Gripping, thought-provoking piece here, Gerard. I admire your work. Donna G.
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
January 6, 2009 at 7:43 PM
Congratulations Gerard, on the re-feature. Vince
Brown Avatar
January 5, 2009 at 5:43 AM
Congratulations on being a finalist and having your poetry featured. Love Carol
Richards Avatar
January 4, 2009 at 2:43 PM
Well deserved to be among the final poems selected! Congratulations!!~ Carrie
Jordan Avatar
January 4, 2009 at 9:24 AM
Gerard - Seems to me like a double congratulations is in order – A Finalist and a featured poem – Great Job – Best of luck – God Bless, MJ
Winter Avatar
January 4, 2009 at 6:40 AM
Congratulations on being a featured finalist this week! Love, Shar
Heck Avatar
November 30, 2008 at 6:40 AM
Gerard - Congratulations on your poem making Round One of the PSoup poetry contest! Wishing you all the best in the finals and have a Happy Holiday season. Peace always, John
Brown Avatar
November 12, 2008 at 4:09 AM
Congratulations on your poetry making it through the first round. Good luck in the finals. Love, Carol
Winter Avatar
November 11, 2008 at 8:38 AM
Congrats on making it through to the first round! Good luck in the finals! Love, Shar
Jordan Avatar
November 4, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Gerard - Congrats on your poetry making it through to the next round – Great Job & God Bless
Mac Donald Avatar
September 6, 2008 at 3:09 AM
A powerful and profound piece of poetry, Gerard. The rhyme and rhythm intensifiy the scenes built up by your words. A scenario of descriptive imagery that flows together to create a sad, then gory picture. Wars, rebellions, revolutions...it is unfortunate when so much blood is spilled and lives are taken. Not fun when you need to make a statement through violence. Something to ponder on. Thank you for sharing this, Gerard. God bless you and yours...Mikki
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
September 2, 2008 at 7:31 AM
Congratulations on "Another Leader Emerges" being featured. Vince
Jordan Avatar
September 1, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Wow this is a great poem - congrats on being featured - God Bless
Winter Avatar
August 31, 2008 at 6:13 PM
Wow. What a powerful write from the other side's view! Awesome poetry. Congratulations Gerard on a most well deserved featured write of the week. Love, Shar
 Avatar
August 31, 2008 at 5:50 PM
Much to think about here. Nice use of rhyme and imagery to forward your thoughts. Congratulations on having your poem featured this week. Keep on writing! Karen
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace