Sermon From the Penthouse ~ OpenLinkNight

Good people of the free Americas
I stand before you as a man…a simple man
who has used the tools provided by your great countries
to get me to where I am today.
I apologize if my foot landed a little heavy when I stepped on your toes,
climbed your back with claws digging
and used your head as a spring board to the higher rungs.
Know that it was not done in malice
rather, I simply forgot for a moment you were there.

Know that it was only through YOUR trust in me
that I could do this.
For that trust, I will be forever grateful,
no matter how easy it was to earn.
When my best friends and I decided this was the role for me
well, it was all over wasn’t it…but still
rather than spitting on the flags you like to fly
we threw the party, lit up the night sky
all in celebration of your right to decide
who will lead you to your future.
All in the name of…me! Ha! I love this world!

So while your children may go to bed a little hungrier at night
while we use your money to pay for the balloons
and mine collects interest that would put your meager salary to shame
know that you’re suffering in order to make a better world.
Your children will be okay…we can’t have them running around chunky and happy
that’s just a cause for bad press.
Stupid and skinny buys more sympathy
And better luck at the good will.

And aren’t you relieved I got you out from under that mortgage payment?
We all know a house is not a home...
A one bedroom basement apartment, well
who couldn’t afford that?
So while I stabilize the markets
just sit back and count your blessings.
I’ll soon be in a position to free up your money.
Give it back to you to make some more for me
and we can continue our plan TOGETHER
to work towards becoming the place to be…
And maybe even do that reno
my lake house so desperately needs.

It's OpenLinkNight and we've got Joy (aka @Hedge_witch) behind the bar with poetry on tap! Link up gets underway at 3pm EST.  See you at dVersePoets!

Comments

Pat Hatt said…
You captured those idiotic toads perfectly, as they try to spin some spiel that makes what they do seem plausibile. When all it is, is a smokescreen and a bunch of crap so they can keep making their interest that makes everyone elses salary look pathetic.
The Silver Fox said…
I was going to say "Oh, yeah, I know this guy!" but sadly enough, there are a lot of "him." And it's gotten to the point where it doesn't even matter that so many of us see through the sludge they spiel, for we have no power until we rise together to take it back.
Brian Miller said…
haha you had me at the title tash...lok it and yes this is what is said if you listen close enough...lol...scary stuff politics you know...and for now they can not control the tongues of poets...calling them on it...smiles. rock on and sock it to them.

edit - did you mean reno or redo in that next to last line?
Tashtoo said…
Whoops...that's my real estate agent ad copy writer personality...I did mean reno...short for renovation ;)
junebjimenez said…
Damn girl, this is really cheeky...I like it! I really admire your ability to pen about politics...well, really about anything! Literally anything! Awesome job!
The Silver Fox said…
Hm. What am I missing, here? I can't seem to sign up for follow-up comments!
hedgewitch said…
Yup--it's up the ladder and never mind whose bones you crush on the way--this was my fave line: "For that trust, I will be forever/ grateful,no matter how easy it was to earn." I picked up on the reno, having been through real estate hell buying and selling a home just before the bubble burst here. The irony is staggering, but some can't even see it. Great work in this one, on every level, Tash.
Anonymous said…
I like to steer clear of politics but this I enjoyed thoroughly! Your sarcasm is infectious.
Gloria Baker said…
Nice dear, always raed you but not always commente, is absolutely true:)
Brian Miller said…
ah thanks for the clarification tash!
Claudia said…
ugh..those are the kind of politicians a country def. does not need...did i say already i'd vote for you in case you ever decide to go into politics...? smiles
venomous, sarcastic, vitrilic- three of my favourite words all present and correct here!This somes up politics so well- especially that 'we're all in it together attitude' when clearly some people are more equal than others. This is great for me, being from the UK, to get a US perspective and feelings on the political gameplaying currently going on.
Laura said…
"rather, I simply forgot for a moment you were there." yeah, ouch...and well said Tash.
Chasing Tao said…
Oh, thre's so much truth in here that it really should wake a few people up Natasha!

Keep it flowing!

Roger ☺
Timoteo said…
How appropriate, Tash, here on the day of our Arizona Republican Primary!

Love it!
Jannie Funster said…
This one packs a whallop, for sure, Natasha.I don['t even watch The News anymore because of this stuff you so amazingly describe. Heartbreakingly, I add.

Hope you are awesome in N.S. today!

xo
Daydreamertoo said…
I never forget reading some graffiti on a wall somehwere whish went something like:
'Socialism means climbing to the top on the backs of the workers, then kicking them in the teeth when you get there.'
I guess, everything is all for the money, no matter what party people follow.
Nicely said Tash.
Anonymous said…
Nice write Tash, with just the right amount of bite, wit and sarcasm. The only thing more amazing than the spiel these guys give us is how many people are still buying it.
mrs mediocrity said…
this is fabulous... and also, of course, very sad...you are spot on, and the truth of this breaks my heart. the world has gone wrong, but perhaps you are right when you say that we are going to change the world, this poem makes me believe it!
Is it fair to appropriate the speeches of candidates verbatim and present them as your own poetry? :)

Sermon is correct - had the rollicking poetry and the cocksure hubris of a good sermon.

Well, done. MMM, that's good satire.
Is it fair to appropriate the speeches of candidates verbatim and present them as your own poetry? :)

Sermon is correct - had the rollicking poetry and the cocksure hubris of a good sermon.

Well, done. MMM, that's good satire.
Anonymous said…
Well done Tash. Have you read "The Shock Doctrine" by Naomi Klein. Truely worrying! Great work
Unknown said…
damn! you been snooping around the white house? what a poem...
Anonymous said…
Amazing! My kind of poetry! I love this...delivered with passion and knowledge..empathy and understanding! Excellent work!
Poppy :)
Aaron Kent said…
This is immense. I loved every second of reading it. It was fantastic as a poetic speech, or maybe a speech as a poem. Either way, amazazing.

sort of reminded me of Scroobius Pip - Mr Otis Regrets. Another great peom about modern greed.
Arron Shilling said…
biting - im bit, loved it tash, gets under the skin of it and has a good rummage:)
Scarlet said…
Nice powerful voice here Tash...Campaign promises to save us or to kill us some more.

Enjoyed this ~
myraysoflight said…
Sadly true...but simply hilarious!!!
Wolfsrosebud said…
how empty words can be... nice capture of reasoning great promise at the expense of others
Ouch! But you captured perfectly the load that we get dumped with--Well done!!
ayala said…
Great name for a great write!
Joseph Hesch said…
Ah, Natasha, few of us are as good at or take such joy in poetically rattling the chains of the socio-political beast.

Fabulous job, North Star! xox
RD said…
the descent for those inappropriately instilled on a throne will be swift

great twists and turned words

Peace ☮
Unknown said…
powerful writing here Tash, really get the idea across, summed up any experience I've ever had with these types, all the while your voice definitely comes shining through. Great job. Thanks
Maude Lynn said…
Mitt? Is that you?

Fantastic write, Natasha!
theborgpoet said…
Tash..Tash..Tash... this made us smile. Thank you.
Unknown said…
Worthynof Mayakovsky, Tash, with a dash of Swift. You get it all right - tone, details, narrative arc. You peg these slimy bastards to the wall. Unfortunately, all of the sarcasm in the world cannot make up for all of the pain anxiety and suffering caused by them. It's poetry like this, though, that can ignite the imagination of the masses.
Ginny Brannan said…
Ahh, what a great capture, an especially fun read while our political climate winds up into full swing. Surely could be any number (if not ALL) of the current candidates. Thanks for sharing!
Anonymous said…
maybe Americans can only work together when there is war.

http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.com/2012/02/g-is-for-gigi-ann-little-bit-about-me.html
Semaphore said…
Putting on a mask is one of the most difficult things to do in poetry, and especially if you're going to do it with a self-aware and ironic twist. You've achieved this creditably here, as the other comments show.
colleen said…
A well done spoof that speaks the truth!
Unknown said…
Biting prose that illustrates perfectly the madness of our current states. Wonderful and powerful right my sister! ~ Rose
Unknown said…
Enjoyed the scribe and sentiments portrayed however being from Oztraylia American politics don't sit well with me but that is a whole other write lol
jackie dick said…
Well, you struck a match and made a bonfire, Tash! You held up a mirror here to our society. Scathing, vitriolic, well deserved. Much needed. This is one helluva write! Brava!!!
Unknown said…
There is no justification for such a difference in fortunes ...greed is greed ! and it's an epidemic that's is increasing amongst those who all ready have it all ...great write thank you for sharing x x
Steve King said…
Sermon from the penthouse...where the loaves and fishes become baguettes and caviar! I enjoyed the way you wielded the needle on this one!
S.M. Abeles said…
Bangin'. Social commentary poetry can be preachy and off-putting if not done right. But this one threads the needle nicely, making the point clearly but with wit and pop. Excellent as usual Tash -- SMA
hyperCRYPTICal said…
An excellent description of politicians the world over - democracy - what's that!? :o]

Anna :o]
Anonymous said…
very cool poem, it make a very entertaining reading for performance :)
In 1843, Charles Dickens wrote "A Christmas Carol" where Ebenezer Scrooge practiced the tenets of Industrial Revolution. Has anything really changed? Or will it take three ghosts to haunt these sorry people into re-embracing their own humanity?
In 1843, Charles Dickens wrote "A Christmas Carol" where Ebenezer Scrooge practiced the tenets of Industrial Revolution. Has anything really changed? Or will it take three ghosts to haunt these sorry people into re-embracing their own humanity?
Anonymous said…
We get the leaders and press we deserve as a country, only we choose to sleepwalk our way through it all, no arguments here on the attitude of those clambering for power
Cathy Feaster said…
haha! This was terrific! Any time one of them open their mouths...this is exactly what I hear. It amazes me that so much is spent for them to go around and "preach" when that money could be put to so much better use!
Susie Clevenger said…
Yes, the spin doctors try to spin our misery into something we should love to endure so the rich get richer. Love how you exposed it in this piece. A greedy "Profit" giving his sermon... love it!
Zoe said…
Fantasticly written! And they wonder why we hold them in comtempt.... :)
Unfortunately there is way too much truth in this poem. Great poem, Tash!

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