Dangerous Liaisons - Now With Notes

Is it ‘friendship’ you proffer (to strangers who ask) If you’re ‘sap for sad stories,’ deny other’s truth, If you’ve something to barter, a ‘twit’ for ‘****’ thought, (1) Good advice you call ‘currency,’ aids in some plot In which you stand to prosper, a carnival booth Where a kiss costs a dollar (though courage needs flask?) (2) Does your friendship have ‘value’ that isn’t a gift? Might a balance sheet’s ledger suggest the dream’s lost Of a meaningful friendship, all effort’s in vain? Was the fault first on their side, did you cause the pain? Expectations burn friendships; hope withers with frost, CO2 kills man’s dreams (yes, earth’s continents drift!) (3) Can you ‘benefit’ others and not be their friend? Might the fool you forgive with Christ’s love, save your soul? You are nobody’s friend when you call ‘facts’ fake news, (4) When the truths you would dictate are just your foul views. A friend welcomes dissent if persuasion’s its goal When your vote screws another, you vote the world’s end! It is not my world view that your vote should not count, I would not be your King, much less have you be mine! But I’ll not be coerced; Your ‘truth’ carries more weight? Are you’re sure that it’s right? You find honor in hate As you threaten my life? Disabuse me, that’s fine! Is a friend whore, your slave? Want to live? Sir, dismount! (5) Brian Johnston 9th of December in 2019 Poet’s Notes: (1) A reimagining of the older phrase ‘tit for tat’ (a ‘quid pro quo’ if you are a Trump worshiper!), i.e., “I’ll be an idiot for sex!” (2) It is hard for even a pervert to kiss a pig! But alcohol helps! (3) It seems that all science looks suspicious and magical, to the uninformed! (4) Trump Quote on ‘Fake News!”: “You know why I do it? I do it to discredit you all and demean you all so that when you write negative stories about me, no one will believe you.” Spoken off- camera during a 60 Minute interview with Lesley Stahl! I believe Lesley Stahl to be a woman of unswerving integrity. Can any Republican say that (with a straight face) about Donald Trump? (5) Please do not rape others just because you are in a position that you dream enables you to do so with impunity!