The Echoes poetry competition to celebrate Write Out Loud's 20th anniversary is now open.  Judged by Neil Astley.

Competition closes in 25 days, 18 hours. Get details and Enter.

One thing becomes another

 

He takes a sack of crumpled shirts,

a puzzle

and a gun.

He leaves with wigs and mini skirts

and "Chuzzlewit"

for fun.

 

He's in a Queue at "Waitrose",

transformed,

an amazon,

all selfish hair and Dickens prose,

prior signs

of him, all gone.

 

The High Street hums with laundries,

wringing out

their blood-stained cash,

all shiny fronts and tawdry,

there's pus

beneath the rash.

 

From pedestals of entitlement,

beflagged

and microphoned,

they profess their own enlightenment

with eyes

as cold as stone.

 

A cross becomes a Hakenkreuz,

a blessing

a salute,

the masses in their halls rejoice,

their march

a stamping boot.

 

One thing becomes another,

it sheds

alluring skin,

its prey too late

discovers,

the reality within.

 

And the pit is full of bodies,

disguises stripped

and gone,

all hope of change,

our folly,

they built their lies upon.

 

Video and Audio available at link below

https://wolfgarwords.com/2025/02/07/one-thing-becomes-another/

 

 

🌷(8)

◄ Of sorrowful songs there is no fear

A Vermin Complete ►

Comments

Profile image

David RL Moore

Sun 9th Feb 2025 09:45

Thankyou Graham and Rolph and to those who have sent likes.

People can graduate from little lies to huge ones.

The trick is seeing the small ones before it's too late and the accumalative product of the lie has created seemingly unstoppable power and wealth.

Calling it out is the thing, even then look at what is going on in the world right now.

David RL Moore

Rolph David

Sat 8th Feb 2025 15:47

Dear David,

The way you explore how identities and symbols can be manipulated to conceal darker truths is both chilling and thought-provoking. The imagery you use, especially the comparison of a cross to a Hakenkreuz (swastika), powerfully illustrates the corruption of what was once pure. The poem feels like a warning about the danger of surface-level respectability hiding corruption beneath. For me it's a haunting and timely reflection on the lies we build upon, and their inevitable consequences.
Great! 😊
Regards,
Rolph

Profile image

David RL Moore

Sat 8th Feb 2025 08:05

Thankyou Graham,

Many thanks to those who have given likes.

David

Profile image

Graham Sherwood

Fri 7th Feb 2025 09:55

These words stood out

‘ they profess their own enlightenment with eyes as cold as stone’

If you wish to post a comment you must login.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

Find out more Hide this message