Gary Bateman Poet Terza Rima

Notes About The Poem

Author's Notes: "The Evil Hands of Tyranny" is a co-authored Unrhymed Tercet by Liam McDaid and me. In this metaphorical write, we touched on a some contemporaneous issues, situations, and truisms which we believe are generally reflective of a number of ongoing problems areas and challenges pervading the world stage today. We emphasized a high degree of poignancy in the various verses and the imagery used to reflect a demonstrative and compelling "word picture" of some "not-so-pleasant" things and circumstances which certainly have equally grim and nasty historical antecedents from mankind's past. Just look at our world situation today with all of the ongoing strife, conflict, tragedy, and ill-treatment of people -- and we believe your read of our poem here will highlight this situation and circumstance even further. (Gary Bateman and Liam McDaid - September 22, 2015) (Unrhymed Tercet)

Categories: conflict, dark, discrimination, evil, hurt, metaphor, and war.

The Evil Hands of Tyranny

The Evil Hands of Tyranny

See “The Evil Hands of Tyranny” gripping coils and springs,
As they crush the throats and lives of all innocent people
Who cry for fairness and justice—but get only a deaf ear. 

Dealing cards falsely makes a laughing stock of us all,
While we gaze at that “Dark Spirit” with his ghastly grin 
And evil intentions to steal our very souls like Mephisto. 

From power hungry fools—greed envelopes all who pay
Attention not to the real evil that some men do to others,
But to those who appear to be fooling themselves true.

This brings pain, suffering, bitterness—and not peace,
And disturbs mankind’s harmony and hope for a better
Existence as the rapacious “Dogs of War” are unleashed.
 
Twisting wars to suit underlying issues is that all-too
Occurrence in our world as the young, old, and weak
Face “The Grim Reaper” who snickers at this chance.  

The rich get richer with ill regard, or even no regard for
Others not so blessed who live this precarious moment,
As the innocent endure such monstrous and virulent evil. 
 
This manifests itself in a hideous mask of hateful deceit 
And true lies toward any poor person who objects to this 
Horrid reality and challenges “The Evil Hands of Tyranny.”										
Gary Bateman and Liam McDaid – A Collaborated Poem,
Copyright © All Rights Reserved (September 22, 2015)
(Unrhymed Tercet)

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Funom Makama October 13, 2015 at 8:49 AM longest time friend. You've just exhibited to the highest quality exactly what I have missed in here for months. Your lines are so exciting and your words are each having that second hand of drawing me back to them again and again and again irrespective of how many times I have gone through them. Its nice to be home and you are part of the reason I have this refreshing feeling. A definite 7. Cheers! Gary Bateman October 13, 2015 at 11:00 AM Hello Funom!! Your are so very kind and most gracious my good friend with your words here. And thanks for the "7"! I hope my poetry along with any collaborated poems that I do from time-to-time with Liam McDaid, will continue to meet your observant standard of high quality poetry. I know that I thank you, and I thank you also on behalf of Liam taking the time to read our joint work here. Glad to have you back too!! (I will drop by your site soon!!) Cheers and Best, Gary

Kp Nunez September 30, 2015 at 7:59 PM A flawless collab, I cannot even point where you or Liam stops and starts. Tackling this subject was indeed a very wise. Engaging read but doesn't stop there. Makes the reader think deeper. 7. hugs to both of you! Gary Bateman October 2, 2015 at 3:57 AM Thanks Kim!! I know that Liam and I do enjoy collaborating on certain themes from time to time. Usually, I normally try to write poetry (and so does Liam) designed to probe issues, thoughts, situations, etc. that make the reader think. I'm very pleased you liked this particular poem, as I know Liam is too!! Best Always, Gary

Liam Mcdaid September 24, 2015 at 7:20 PM thank you everyone for the wonderful comments our common senses tells our hearts what is right and wrong love of the common good each voice powerful bless you all with smiles

Frank Black Blacharczyk September 23, 2015 at 9:45 AM My mother grew up during the time of Stalin and as a young man I understood tyranny. Evil Hands of Tyranny paints a deadly imagery against those who speak out and the greed for power. Gary Bateman September 23, 2015 at 11:14 AM Hello Frank, Thanks for your comment and observation here for sure. I appreciate what you say about Stalin. (I noticed your last name too.) I retired some years ago as a U.S. Army Officer, and was, among other things, a Soviet Specialist and had served in Berlin. In addition to English, Spanish, and German -- Russian is also a primary language for me. I live in Germany and I'm constantly watching and aware of the current machinations by Vladimir Putin to revive the Ghosts of Stalinism and to march Russia unfortunately in a backward direction. (I've written three poems about Putin you might be interested in.) I'm pleased you liked the co-write I did here with Liam McDaid. Best!! Gary

Anne-Lise Andresen September 22, 2015 at 3:22 PM - I see all the evil in the world as a result of the forces of evil - As long as we're here, we're not in paradise - God does not have full control over all evil in the world, but he has not the blame - A powerful and serious topic - Great written, by my good friends Gray and Liam - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Gary Bateman September 22, 2015 at 4:08 PM Hello Dear Anne-Lise!! I certainly agree with what you say here. This world we live in is certainly not paradise, nor is mankind perfect and will never be so. The keys for me are always faith and prayer to Almighty God, and to have and possess the mortal courage to fight and resist all that is evil and bad on this Earth, in my own way. We see a lot of bad things happening and being said now that we have a migrant and refugee crisis at hand where there are terrible things occurring to a lot of people, and many who could help, refuse to help!! (And some of these same people are those who claim to be "Good Christians.") Something to think about!! Glad you liked our write here!! Cheers and Best, Gary

Dorian Petersen Potter September 22, 2015 at 2:06 PM Hi Gary n' Liam!A most powerful piece,you've penned here my dearest friends.Very sad in content and subject, but very beautifully written n' filled of so much truth.Yes, it is so very sad what's taking place all over our world everyday. So many very sad and horrible situations, very terrible injustices against mankind, and very deplorable things, and it really saddens my heart and soul so very much. All this that you write about in your piece here is so very sad n' so tragic,indeed, but not surprising really at all, because it's all written there n' very clear in the Word of God, is in the book of Revelations, Daniel, etc, so we know exactly where all these horrible situations are leading to.Thanks alot for caring, writing n' sharing, this very powerful n' most excellent piece here.Just outstanding! Superb!Well done!Your pens are mighty golden!A 7 +++ to each! A Fav!Wishing you a very lovely week!In His light!God bless you always!:)Love n' hugs!xoxox D.^O^ Gary Bateman September 22, 2015 at 2:51 PM Hello Dear "D"!! Glad to receive always your most gracious comments and observations. Thanks for the 7 + FAV!! Yes, we are starting to see many of the old trends of the 20th century (as well as centuries before) play out before our very eyes. History tends to repeat itself, aka: "The Past is Prologue." Stupidity, prejudice, and injustices abound. Look at the tilt to the "More Extreme Right" now in the USA and other select countries; not to mention the adventurism of Vladimir Putin and little puffed-up dime store dictators like Viktor Orban in Hungary. All that sensible people can do is resist and fight this wave of idiocy and injustice to the utter most!! And prayer to the Almighty wouldn't hurt either. Cheers and Best, Gary

Liam Mcdaid September 22, 2015 at 1:42 PM Miraj Raha thank you deeply for the wonderful comment always the poor suffer in my eyes wishing you a blessed day

Liam Mcdaid September 22, 2015 at 1:38 PM gary truly a pleasure writing this poem with you pal it hits truth bang on the head straight from the heart and soul thumbs up dear friend passing you a warm smile thank you Gary Bateman September 22, 2015 at 2:42 PM Likewise Liam Mate!! It is always indeed an exquisite pleasure working with you my dear friend. I'm very pleased with the mutual result of this write. Cheers and Best, Gary

Miraj Raha September 22, 2015 at 11:07 AM Great poem.It has covered all the ailments of the world that us poor people have to endure and the references and allusions mentioned all fits perfectly with the theme. Gary Bateman September 22, 2015 at 12:50 PM Hello Miraj, Thanks for your observation here and gracious comment. Your comment is spot on with the practical and intellectual ethos and rationale behind this co-write by Liam and me. I look forward to reading more of your poetry, and, by the way: Welcome to Poetry Soup!! Feel free to read any of my poems too as you choose to do so. Great Job once again on your recent poem designated as POTD!! Best Always, Gary