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I Started a Joke - POTD

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POTD 21 November 2017
So professional in his lies - So ruthless in his ambition Feeding lies to the simple folk - convincing in his deception Telling them they live on toxic farm land - succeeds in striking fear Cutting ties they sob in sorrow - selling up farmland they hold dear His visions now come to fruition he's the land owner for miles around Success surpasses his wildest dreams and exuberance exceeds all bounds Amazed at peoples gullibility of seeing things in black and white To his personal sins of omission he’s dispassionate in his sight An affluent developer now more ill-gotten gains then he’s ever dreamed Blinded to his own appalling self-deception - so steeped in what he’s schemed No compunction or scruples - not one bit - despair and heartbreak left in his wake Let the ignorant be blissfully blind in their slumber - best not to awake In his haste to erect complexes cheap materials he substitutes Waterways became fast dumping grounds which he so stealthily pollutes Disregard of public health - quick profits so enticing within his reach Indifferent to the major far reaching consequences of his breach For many long years living the shallow life of Carpe diem excites Till one day to the bafflement of all sickness in the town strikes The most vulnerable of them the children the first to get ill Professionals get summoned and asked the causes and will it kill? He looks to the skies, resolve of the issue seeks heavenly help. But the lie that he has so blatantly spread has manifested itself The toxicity is in the water - results of the tests come back to haunt Karma has a way of working in circles and returning to taunt Overnight he is a ruined man worried people flee in droves Bad news has a way of travelling fast as awareness grows At his shame people scornfully laugh no matter where he goes Looking to the Universe - in desperation he implores It speaks to him in soulful whispers to make Right a Wrong Enthusiasm at first to do so dies before too long To go out in all humbleness and preach elicits doubt Tortured fears of inadequacy germinate and sprout His own fears his incompetence returns in falling tears A difference he could make by standing up to his fears Baring his soul can he reveal the folly of his life? But his courage deserts him - as for resolve - it takes flight Past youthful dreams and hopes like recurring tunes maddeningly play Lies of yesterday ricochet - becoming his life’s regret today Magnitude of taking innocent lives is now his daily burden Now he faces his ultimate challenge before the final curtain One last thing before he dies perhaps a truthful book he will write Of his mistakes accept blame and confess to show he is contrite Perhaps through his repentance consolation to his soul will give Deaths parting gift to humanity be absolved as they live and forgive
Synopsis of Song ‘I Started A Joke’: Written by Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb the song is supposedly about someone who has done or said something horribly wrong, which results in feelings of social alienation. Robin Gibb talked in 2009 about "I Started a Joke". The listeners have to interpret it themselves, trying to explain it would detract from the song" The hauntingly beautiful melody brings the ballad up to one of the top 2 or 3 songs that the Bee Gees have ever written. Above example for ‘I Started a Joke Contest’ POTD 21 November 2017

Copyright © | Year Posted 2017




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Date: 2/28/2018 4:07:00 AM
Great poem! Are you viewing Africa from the clouds?
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Date: 11/30/2017 3:59:00 AM
How could I have missed such a compelling poetic narrative, Maria! This being awarded p.o.t.d. is no surprise. People such as your main character do exist, and not just in small numbers! Greed becomes the ruin of both the instigator and the victims. As for contrition...usually a case of too little too late. ~ Love that Bee Gees ~ Warm regards // paul
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/30/2017 10:17:00 PM
Thank you so much Paul. Yes unfortunately, we especially in Sydney are seeing such a lot of high rise complexes coming up. They are finished off so fast, makes one wonder? Thank you my dear friend for your astute comments , as always I truly appreciate them.....Maria
Date: 11/29/2017 4:39:00 PM
How much love you have measures your worth, No matter where you exist on this earth; Am polite, Day and night; Was nice and took upper and gave her lower birth.
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/30/2017 10:17:00 PM
Thank you James , I really appreciate your visit and comments...Maria
Date: 11/28/2017 9:18:00 PM
I like the double line length, sort of like one thing and one more thing, it is very strong and unusual. I enjoyed reading it.
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/29/2017 5:33:00 AM
Thank you so much Sheri, I really appreciate your visit and excellent comment. Will be around to read your poems shortly.....Maria
Date: 11/27/2017 3:40:00 PM
Maria: Well written. However: Somethings are seldom forgiven. The stench lasts until all that knew have passed and it is forgotten. :o) Thank you for pointing me to this lovely work and for sharing with all of us on the soup. oldbuck, a simple rhymester at best.
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/29/2017 5:34:00 AM
Yes you are so right Oldbuck. Thank you for stopping by and your excellent feedback, I really appreciate it dear friend...Maria
Date: 11/25/2017 11:13:00 PM
A lengthy and well written poetic rhyme scheme that I enjoyed reading!
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/26/2017 4:36:00 AM
Thank you for your visit and comment Kristina. So glad you liked it...Maria
Date: 11/23/2017 3:10:00 AM
Excellent. Outstanding and compelling write. Enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing it.
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/23/2017 6:11:00 AM
Thank you very much Ravi my friend, for visiting and for your encouraging comment., Maria
Date: 11/23/2017 12:56:00 AM
I remember the song very well, and your poem takes the sad approach as model for us. nice to see your work, Maria, and your example for the contest. and hey, CONGRATS for POTD!!
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/23/2017 1:19:00 AM
Thanks so much Andrea, yes what a beautiful song it is . There are many interpretations behind it some even likening it to the life of Christ. Thanks for dropping by and your lovely comment, I really appreciate it...Maria xxx
Date: 11/23/2017 12:42:00 AM
Great Poem. Continued so magnificently. Excellent narration.
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/23/2017 1:20:00 AM
Thank you so much Anisha. I really appreciate you dropping by and your lovely comment...Maria xx
Date: 11/22/2017 11:31:00 AM
Hello Maria, Congratulations on the POTD!! This one is a quite superb write. The overall thematic undercurrent of the verses is very clear for the reader to see, appreciate, and understand. The flow is perfect in this sense, because of the way in which the last verse in each of the eleven stanzas encapsulates the meaning, and, in my view, links each succeeding stanza's thought together with the others to form a constant and indelible image for the reader. Outstanding!! A FAVE!! Best, Gary
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/22/2017 10:25:00 PM
Thanks Gary for taking the trouble with your excellent analysis and review that emcompasses all angles. From an academic of your calibre this means a lot to me. Much appreciated. Maria
Date: 11/21/2017 6:57:00 PM
A wonderful story of "what goes around comes around". I know that song well being a huge Bee Gees Fan. "But what I didn't see ... was the joke was on me" Congratulations on POTD Maria!! ~ Judy
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/22/2017 1:16:00 AM
Thanks so much Judy. I really appreciate your visit and nice comment..Maria xxx
Date: 11/21/2017 3:52:00 PM
Great choice for POTD, Congrats!
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/22/2017 1:09:00 AM
Thanks so much Richard. I really appreciate your visit and nice comment..Maria
Date: 11/21/2017 3:22:00 PM
I knew this was going to be a POTD and here it is... Congratulation my lovely friend on your masterpiece :) hugs and smiles :)
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/22/2017 1:03:00 AM
Thanks so much Akkina.Your support is very much appreciated my dear friend...Maria xxx
Date: 11/21/2017 12:53:00 PM
Wonderful write, Maria, congratulations on POTD! Hugs Eve ~`*
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/22/2017 1:05:00 AM
Thanks so much Eve.Your support is very much appreciated my dear friend...Maria xxx
Date: 11/21/2017 10:07:00 AM
This was quite an effort on your part, and deserving of POTD or any other recognition.
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/22/2017 1:05:00 AM
Thanks so much Sunlite.Your support is very much appreciated my dear friend...Maria xxx
Date: 11/21/2017 9:13:00 AM
Maria, your incredibly poetic story telling abilities has created a groundswell of awareness on a very important topic. Congratulations dear friend on your well-deserved POTD honors with your magnificent poem on the careless effects of lustful greed.. Excellent!
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/22/2017 12:41:00 AM
Thanks so much Susan.Your support is very much appreciated my dear friend...Maria xxx
Date: 11/21/2017 9:00:00 AM
Great example for your contest, Maria, congratulations on your well deserved POTD too:)
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/22/2017 12:39:00 AM
Thanks so much Jo. Much appreciated my friend...Maria xxx
Date: 11/21/2017 8:40:00 AM
Congrats!!! my friend on POTD...a superb masterpiece only Maria from down under could conjure...you started an avalanche of phenomenal writing...Bravo!!!...^WW^
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/22/2017 12:39:00 AM
Thanks so much WW. Much appreciated my dear friend...Maria xxx
Date: 11/21/2017 7:57:00 AM
True to life horror. Congratulations on potd with this stellar piece Maria :) xomo!
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/22/2017 12:38:00 AM
Thanks so much Maureen. Much appreciated my friend...Maria xxx
Date: 11/21/2017 7:19:00 AM
- Congratulations, Maria ! - Hurray ! :)
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/22/2017 12:37:00 AM
Thanks so much Anne-Lise. Much appreciated my dear friend...Maria xxx
Date: 11/21/2017 7:12:00 AM
Wow Maria! This is perfectly written and has a nice flow to it. It is a sad (but wonderfully written) commentary on the lows people will sink to for that greed. And what they do when given the chance to change. I love this one! And congratulations!
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/22/2017 12:36:00 AM
Thanks so much James. Much appreciated my friend...Maria
Date: 11/21/2017 6:50:00 AM
Excellent choice for POTD, as it has a wonderful moral and I hope those that need to heed the advice pay attention.. Excellent and congratulations...
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/22/2017 12:35:00 AM
Thanks so much Si, Much appreciated my dear friend...Maria xxx
Date: 11/21/2017 6:47:00 AM
Returning with BIG congrats on POTD--well earned, with a very important theme!
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/22/2017 12:34:00 AM
Thanks so much Vijay. Much appreciated my friend...Maria xxx
Date: 11/21/2017 6:07:00 AM
Maria, nicely done my friend, a great story and example of what greed can lead to. Congrats on POTD! John
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/22/2017 12:33:00 AM
Thanks so much John, Much appreciated my friend...Maria xxx
Date: 11/21/2017 6:00:00 AM
Pulsar pulsating poetry! Soul antennae up ... moral message signal received, Maria. Had to return again and give you Big Bang positive props for POTD. Just another squint poet pinned to your Secret Admirer wall. Such beautiful poetry enthralls us all. Love and more blessings of love always, dear friend.
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Maria Williams
Date: 11/22/2017 12:32:00 AM
Thanks so much Freddie. Much appreciated my dear friend...Maria xxx
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Book: Shattered Sighs