Notes About The Poem

For Sotto Poet's Babel, Bait, Blame, Blank Check Poetry Contest

April 4, 2024

Babel

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Babel: “A bottomless pit of violence, a Tower of Babel where all are speakers and no hearers.” Alexander Smith

The preachers preach what they've been taught.
Reporters say what they’ve been told.
The politicians lie and lie.
I watch a tragedy unfold.

On social media I see
some folks who like to blog or play
while bullies bully; haters hate.
“Talk to the hand” they seem to say.

Mean twitters, memes and certain posts
use scalding words  - an endless thread
scrolls down as if into a pit
where fire by sparks of hate is fed.

Opinions can be strong, but why
can’t some folks hear the other side -
with peace agree to disagree?
Yet fight they do and then collide.

Insanity is not just lurking.
Madness spits right in our faces
as many blab and jabber on,
heedless of the social graces.

Ears get clogged up; loose tongues flap.
See Babel’s Tower now so high!
We’ve come too far to still believe
that towers climb to touch the sky.

The fire raging underneath it,
spurred on by hate, crawls up each wall.
Violence will overtake us;
Then Babel’s Tower we’ll see fall.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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Warlov Avatar
April 14, 2024 at 2:30 PM
The only thing I'm sure of is that God doesn't have blonde hair and blue eyes. ;) ~ Two things only, that never return: The beating heart & The spoken word.
Bayles Avatar
April 5, 2024 at 8:08 AM
Wonderful, Andrea. It's the great tale about people talking, but they all speak another language. I like the rhyme and the ending. And I agree with Bril; it's relevant for today.
Buhagiar Avatar
April 5, 2024 at 2:03 AM
Heedless of the social graces. So true. no one listens to both sides of an argument. Even in Malta, our politicians are all corrupt. Hugs.
Baker Avatar
April 4, 2024 at 5:35 PM
WOW! Powerful poetry, Andrea. Well written all in rhyme, a perfect poem to explain our time. You've laid it out so clear to see. The crumbling tower of our time we'll observe for free. A FAV for my list, you awesome poet! Good luck in the contest! Your poet friend in Texas, Bill
Dietrich Avatar
April 4, 2024 at 11:18 PM
Thanks, Bill, and it's so sad to see what the world is becoming
Fisher Avatar
April 4, 2024 at 5:06 PM
Enjoyed your timely poem of current happenings; but the last line was my favorite.
Dietrich Avatar
April 4, 2024 at 11:17 PM
I think the last line was the favorite for a few others as well. Glad I ended on that note!
Bauer Avatar
April 4, 2024 at 1:04 PM
this is just brilliant, andrea! without seeing any other entries, i'd give you first prize for this one!
Dietrich Avatar
April 4, 2024 at 11:16 PM
Thanks so much, dear
Empress Avatar
April 4, 2024 at 11:14 AM
Dear sweet andrea, what a true and wise write! Couldnt have said it any better, and this is one reason why i refuse to be on social media right now and watch news too, or read news, nobody cares. When michael jackson sang “ they dont care about us” i felt it and i feel it even more right now. Hah! Politicians they are fluent in the language of lies, and thats the reality and so many bullies everywhere sadly, its just disheartening. Pleasure reading this powerful write! Best wishes for d contest
Dietrich Avatar
April 4, 2024 at 12:03 PM
thanks, Ink. I am surprised more people are not doing this contest. It's certainly easier than some of the other contests I am seeing up!
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