New World Order

The Rulers wield their silver shields,
             wear golden coronets
while warders guard the prison yard,
             boast brazen bayonets
and unicorns flaunt ivory horns
             defending martinets.

While Bankers beam Their self-esteem
             (bailed out of broker's debts),
and Bureaucrats grow rich and fat
             in six-star luncheonettes, 
the deep, devout and down and out
             survive as silhouettes.

The Press take pains to wash our brains,
             Their words have mesmerized.
So, mild and meek, we fear to speak
             in worlds They’ve polarized,
and rush to war, through Satan's door,
             watch cities vaporized.

The Lord of Lore tells tales of war,
             of victories far away,
where eyes stare stark within the dark 
             and death is painted gray
on faces cold, some young, some old,
             in spectral disarray.

We're taught at school the Golden Rule
             for all to live in bliss,
but in the wars on foreign shores
             the only rule is this:
“Yo! You and I must fight and die
             inside the black abyss!”

But well alive, the Merchants thrive
            on sales of armaments
that Barons built (with pride, not guilt)
            to quell the dissidents,
while Partisans are posing plans
             to conquer continents.

And back at home, the rumors roam
             “Good times are soon to come,
despite the breeze on frozen seas
             in weathers wet and numb.”
When we’re in need, They’ll intercede
             with prayers if we succumb.

A Tabloid screams of phantom dreams
             to keep our minds at sea 
and TV skews the evening news,
             ensures we all agree:
“With dynamite we fight for right
             and not for tyranny.”

The brain aborts when drugged with sports
               and fashions of the day,
and sevenfold, men think as told
              and so are led astray;
and like some sheep (unless asleep)
             they baa when they obey.  

In search of sense in sounds intense
             of droning drum tattoos
(the beat sustains the endless reigns 
             which swamp the avenues)
souls, thin and worn, traipse by, forlorn,
             delayed by shackled shoes.

Ten thousand eyes belong to Spies
            who watch us day and night
to track our trails and read our mails
             and say They have the right
to know our thoughts and thwart our plots
             to cease Their oversight.

Behind the scenes, behind the screens,
             the rules are fixed, arranged
(contorted smiles conceal Their wiles -
             Their goals have never changed).
When upside-down, a grin is frown
             and common sense deranged.

Along the roads, the future bodes
             in legends made of dust,
and ashes gray the alleyway
             'neath lampposts scaled with rust.
While Divas dine with cakes and wine
             pale orphans share a crust.

Dead colonies of humble bees,
             a ravaged hornets' hive,
rain forests, dales and minke whales
             soon nothing left alive…        
a world laid waste is to Their taste,
             as long as They survive. 

As sunlight wanes in winter rains 
             and sullen shadows crawl,
the evening ebbs, and spider's webs
             seem tattooed on the wall.
Upon the night the Masters write
             The Final Protocol.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2015



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

Date: 12/28/2015 4:18:00 PM
This is a lesson in rhyme. Perfect structure, internal rhyme, and sestets instead of boring quatrains. Well done!
Login to Reply
Date: 12/17/2015 4:27:00 AM
lines with curves of wisdom and landscapes of awe! My mind is in a park of joy to how I manage selecting this page. Keep on writing dear poet and as always, a wonderful 7 without a doubt!
Login to Reply
Date: 6/5/2015 8:38:00 AM
dearest terry - You are soaring~!!!!!!~ Ditto everything Keith said. Don't toot your horn because you'll need a tuba. I am in awe as though at the stars. Oh what I'm missing!! by being out of the poetic loop. Everything is fine; I'm just a three toed sloth. xxx ooo\ Kathy
Login to Reply
O'Leary Avatar
Terry O'Leary
Date: 12/12/2015 2:21:00 PM
Thank you, dear Kathy... I'm sorta out of the loop also... hope things are well...
Date: 5/30/2015 4:24:00 PM
Powerful, nicely done!
Login to Reply
O'Leary Avatar
Terry O'Leary
Date: 12/12/2015 2:12:00 PM
Thank you, Edward! Much appreciated!!!
Date: 5/29/2015 1:00:00 PM
7777777 !!!!!!!!!! This is outstanding! A true masterpiece The structure, the inner and outer rhyming, the powerful phrasing and eye-popping imagery... there is not a single hiccup in this piece... the cadence is perfect! I'm actually at a loss for words to give your poem the attention it deserves. I have read it several times and each time I shivered... simply brilliant! It should be posted everywhere to rouse a reaction to these egregious ills. Best wishes, Keith
Login to Reply
O'Leary Avatar
Terry O'Leary
Date: 12/12/2015 2:05:00 PM
You're very, very kind, Keith! I'm very flattered. Thank you!!!
Date: 5/21/2015 2:34:00 AM
The truth bites and you expressed it with fervor. Faving this!
Login to Reply
O'Leary Avatar
Terry O'Leary
Date: 12/12/2015 1:58:00 PM
Thank you, Gabby... and you're right, it bites!!
Date: 4/18/2015 11:46:00 AM
oh wow!
Login to Reply
O'Leary Avatar
Terry O'Leary
Date: 12/12/2015 1:53:00 PM
Thank you, Elai! Much appreciated!!
Date: 4/17/2015 2:53:00 AM
I like the structure and the style.7+
Login to Reply
O'Leary Avatar
Terry O'Leary
Date: 12/12/2015 1:45:00 PM
Thank you, Hannington... much appreciated!
Date: 3/25/2015 3:37:00 AM
This poem is an epic display of talent and truth that is a Masterpiece! I would have it Poem of the Week! Outstanding Terry! It is going into my fav's. 7+
Login to Reply
O'Leary Avatar
Terry O'Leary
Date: 7/17/2015 12:06:00 AM
Thank you Connie! You are always so kind... lovin' it... ;-)
Date: 3/22/2015 4:10:00 AM
compelling work expressing the useless, inhuman consequences of war.. very finely done, terry!. huggs
Login to Reply
O'Leary Avatar
Terry O'Leary
Date: 6/19/2015 8:25:00 AM
Thanks, Nette!!
Date: 3/14/2015 4:05:00 AM
Long lamentable art... the sinking world and their trend of siphoning our luck and stars. i see the blood in your tears. you speak our mind, the dying ones.you speak nature's mind too
Login to Reply
O'Leary Avatar
Terry O'Leary
Date: 6/19/2015 8:24:00 AM
Thank you, Chidozie! Your comment is a poem unto itself!!!
Date: 3/11/2015 2:57:00 PM
I could have sworn that I commented on this fine masterpiece? Your words are still always something to behold. :o) Great write!
Login to Reply
O'Leary Avatar
Terry O'Leary
Date: 6/19/2015 8:23:00 AM
Thank you Dan! Much appreciated!!!
Date: 2/26/2015 2:28:00 PM
Enjoyed this epic very much Terry!
Login to Reply
O'Leary Avatar
Terry O'Leary
Date: 6/19/2015 8:23:00 AM
I'm happy you enjoyed, William!!
Date: 2/23/2015 2:19:00 AM
Awesomely done Terry :)
Login to Reply
O'Leary Avatar
Terry O'Leary
Date: 6/19/2015 8:22:00 AM
Thank you, Debbie!
Date: 2/15/2015 1:47:00 AM
Meant to give you a "seven", mate, but forgot! So i popped back - done it this time. Cheers! :) john.
Login to Reply
O'Leary Avatar
Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/15/2015 6:26:00 AM
Thanks again!
Date: 2/14/2015 3:36:00 PM
Fantastic poem! Fantastic command of the written word! Fantastic ideas all linked together in various subplots! Brilliantly thought out! Should be "Poem of the week"!! congratulations! I really did enjoy this read! :) john.
Login to Reply
O'Leary Avatar
Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/15/2015 6:25:00 AM
Fantastic praise! (Lovin' it)... Thanks...
Date: 2/14/2015 2:00:00 PM
A super 7 for this one! Truth in verse and so very well crafted! Adding this epic poem to my fav list! Thanks..
Login to Reply
O'Leary Avatar
Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/15/2015 6:24:00 AM
Thanks, Robert... much appreciated!
Date: 2/14/2015 1:17:00 PM
My favourite lines are the ones above tabloid and tv. And "...rules are fixed and arranged" . The truth is what you speak.
Login to Reply
O'Leary Avatar
Terry O'Leary
Date: 2/15/2015 6:23:00 AM
Happy you liked it, Njeri... unfortunately too much truth...