Brenda Chamberlain 'POEMS with DRAWINGS'
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Sculptor John Chamberlain
of crumpled scrap metal art fame
Using second-hand everything
modernity to art did bring
"The winds of change" a Briton warned
In his speech to South Africa,
Meaning that those who were scorned
Might soon rule the republica.
Many heard what he was saying
From the parliamentary podium
But most were probably thinking
He had smoked a shot of opium!
No one made capital from this.
Not even the underdogs!
It is true that their nemesis
Had guns, hippos and dogs!
Clever circles murmured the phrase
But even they didn't backdrop it.
Was it all a wild goose chase?
Was it anywhere within their ambit?
But the winds of change reached the shores!
The apartheid forces resisted!
However, the winds entered the doors!
And universal suffrage was instituted!
British premier Chamberlain was right!
He'd looked from his vantage point.
Democratic South Africa came to sight:
An idea that might have seemed quaint!
4/16/2022
Refusing to fight the major war,
the war based on principles,
the one we can win
We’re forced to fight a never-ending series
of political wars,
ones that we can only lose
We’re trapped in the middle of Appeasement River
and headed for Chamberlain Falls,
terror awaiting in the rapids now ahead
Slowing down the current or rowing harder wont
save us, it only extends the time of our demise,
capitulation pulling us under toward the roar
As a country, we’re now in the middle of that river
arguing over who has the water rights,
arguing over whose paddle is best
Until we get off the river and back on dry land,
Chamberlain Falls will continue to pull
—and Armageddon will continue to call
(Villanova Pennsylvania: March, 2015)
Refusing to fight the major war,
the war based on principles,
the one we can win
We’re forced to fight a never-ending series
of political wars….
ones that we can only lose
We’re trapped in the middle of Appeasement River
and headed for Chamberlain Falls
terror awaiting in the rapids now ahead
Slowing down the current or rowing harder wont
save us, it only extends the time of our demise,
capitulation pulling us under toward the roar
As a country, we’re now in the middle of that river
arguing over who has the water rights….
arguing over whose paddle is best
Until we get off the river and back on dry land,
Chamberlain Falls will continue to pull
—and Armageddon will continue to call
(Villanova Pennsylvania: March, 2015)
The war to end all wars was a vain hope.
When men seek for power to subdue,
Wanting to reign supreme and dominate,
Is it possible to yield and exist
As fearful servants of a tyrant, whose
Sole aims are conquest, cruelty and control?
Not seeing now the enemies’ faces
As in distant days of sword and shield,
New weapons are indiscriminately
Scattered on civilian populations.
So how can we resist except by force
While selfish men continue in their way
To trap and oppress, to connive and kill,
Saddam, Gadaffi, Hitler and many more?
Yes, how shall it be if not by standing firm,
Fighting against them and their tyranny?
To do nothing condones their evil deeds,
A piece of paper for the soul of man,
Appeasement coerced through desperation.
Not peace in our time, not like Chamberlain.