Poetry Thursday 160 - Read! Read! Read!

 Hitler destroyed books; Trump has taken money from libraries and tried to dictate reading materials in schools. This is a very brief summation of one aspect of controlling social groups, but can be summed up further by stating that 'knowledge is power'.

Travel the world from a chair

 

A book holds a story that will never die,

it is there to entertain forever.

The story is your transport to times gone by,

or a rocket hurtling towards the future.

 

The people inside are fallible like you,

but with help may foil the danger,

or follow a path taken by few,

and perhaps find a babe in a manger!

 

You may travel the wide world from your chair,

and never leave this wonderful land.

Change your colour or perm your hair,

without the risk of wearing a new brand.

 

The sky’s the limit every time you try

the same story read a dozen times.

Let your imagination be free and fly,

in the words of stories and of rhymes.

© David L Atkinson March 2015 

God Bless 

Writing - Be Brave

 I have frequently suggested that our writings can be kept current by including issues of the day. It doesn't matter which party or group you belong to personally; in the era of free speech, you have the right to discuss all sides of political arguments. Obviously, there are countries where there is no such freedom of speech. The slightly worrying signs that situations are changing can be identified through the pronouncements made by governments in reaction to anti-government action. 

Actor Robert Lindsay starred as Citizen Smith in 'Power to the People' in a comedy series that ran from 1977 to 1980. In the series, he saw himself as the leader of a small group - Tooting Popular Front - with an aim to introduce communism. May seem a little far-fetched but consider the language of your governments. 

In the UK, it is considered radical to support the people of Gaza who, as we are all aware, have been mercilessly persecuted in acts of genocide by Israel. The government described such protests as radical. (Freedom of speech!) Just one pointer that brings into question political attitudes towards freedom of speech. 

Some commentators have suggested that when this sort of action is carried out by governments, politics needs to be changed. We can see the influence of powerful groups and people demanding that their position be supported and protected by governments because they feel that they have purchased that right. 

The situations described above have occurred in dictatorships and non-democratic countries, but when you see it happening in self-congratulatory democracies, then there is something seriously wrong with the system in those countries. 

So when you write, whether it be in an article, a letter to an editor or a novel, highlight the things that are going on that you feel are wrong. 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 149 - End is Nigh

 The first incarnation of this poem occurred 4 years ago and was written for a UK audience. Well, now it is easy, with a slight adjustment, to apply more globally. 

Beginning of the End

 

As in all beginnings they start with an end,

the end of major conflict, act of God or plague,

a time when resources had a major spend,

when populations are totally drained,

unscrupulous leaders are minority maintained,

and solutions to shortages are purposefully vague,

then empires begin to crumble.

 

It happened to the Romans and to the Greeks,

revolution in Russia, England and France,

happens when government no longer speaks

to the populace with any understanding,

but only in tones distant and commanding,

ignorant of the possibility of a refreshing chance,

maybe society will begin to stumble.

 

Has the revolution already started?

The ruling party is in confusion,

rich and poor are well divided,

industrial unrest is on the increase,

civil disobedience a tension release,

the people are suffering crippling inflation,

what is next for these teetering nations?

 

Revolution usually begins with violence,

social media is playing a mega role,

political success is not a licence,

to play games with the public reality,

and line political pockets with liberality,

winning votes elects into a service role,

a state to be embraced with serious intentions.

 ©David L Atkinson June 2026 

God Bless 

Writing - Prophetic

Inspired to include these words of Bob Dylan when I re-heard this song this morning. Written in 1963. So many comparisons match equally well today as they did 63 years ago. 

Masters of War

Written by: Bob Dylan

Come you masters of war

You that build all the guns

You that build the death planes

You that build the big bombs

You that hide behind walls

You that hide behind desks

I just want you to know

I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin’

But build to destroy

You play with my world

Like it’s your little toy

You put a gun in my hand

And you hide from my eyes

And you turn and run farther

When the fast bullets fly

Like Judas of old

You lie and deceive

A world war can be won

You want me to believe

But I see through your eyes

And I see through your brain

Like I see through the water

That runs down my drain

You fasten the triggers

For the others to fire

Then you set back and watch

When the death count gets higher

You hide in your mansion

As young people’s blood

Flows out of their bodies

And is buried in the mud

You’ve thrown the worst fear

That can ever be hurled

Fear to bring children

Into the world

For threatening my baby

Unborn and unnamed

You ain’t worth the blood

That runs in your veins

How much do I know

To talk out of turn

You might say that I’m young

You might say I’m unlearned

But there’s one thing I know

Though I’m younger than you

Even Jesus would never

Forgive what you do

Let me ask you one question

Is your money that good

Will it buy you forgiveness

Do you think that it could

I think you will find

When your death takes its toll

All the money you made

Will never buy back your soul

And I hope that you die

And your death’ll come soon

I will follow your casket

In the pale afternoon

And I’ll watch while you’re lowered

Down to your deathbed

And I’ll stand o’er your grave

’Til I’m sure that you’re dead. 

God Help Us 

 

Poetry Thursday 148 - News or Not News

My father read the newspaper daily. He watched the news on TV and listened to it on the radio. In our present world, where the newspapers, TV and Radio stations can be bought and sold on a whim; where the owners control the stories that are delivered; where news can be generated by AI; and, where the internet is supposedly many peoples' source of news. I wonder if he was alive today, what he'd think. 

News or Not News

 

So you believe you are important,

that your life is significant,

you go to work and pay your tax,

you watch the news and hear the facts,

and believe that you’re a part,

right from the very start.

 

But just think on a bit,

how much control have you got of it,

when you get to work they tell you what to do,

in the news you find what’s good for you,

but feel safe because of democracy,

you can always vote for another party.

 

Will it make a difference,

is the news unambiguous,

who bought the news this week,

what truths are they telling you to seek,

how do you make choices,

when facts are controlled by different voices.

©David L Atkinson June 2026 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 146 - Ivory Towers

 Another announcement that the energy cap for UK citizens is due to rise. I'm pretty sure that the excuse will be that the cost of buying gas has been increased by our suppliers. I always thought that a cap was supposed to stop unfavourable rises. I'm also pretty sure that the CEOs' bonuses and salaries will not be capped. It would be wonderful if they would refuse their extra salaries and share dividends to help protect the customers. (Just me being naive.) 

Too Many Ivory Towers

 

CEOs of water, fuel and power,

climb down from your glittering, ivory tower,

consider those who are less fortunate,

those who you often manipulate.

 

Academies and Trusts Chair,

is what you’re paid truly fair,

when so many people you employ,

need benefits to bring life a modicum of joy.

 

When asked about your ill-gotten gain,

blaming a committee for what you obtain,

meekly accepting such gross largess,

as a right to your opulent ivory address.

 

Backed by sycophantic politicians,

circling for crumbs to further ambition,

is there a conscience about all that power,

providing your exclusive ivory tower.

©David L Atkinson August 2022 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 145 - This History

 Every day that comes and goes becomes part of our history, so we are making history daily. Taking that fact into mind, how will we be seen in 100 years? 

Historical

 

One hundred years from now,

how will life be remembered?

Who was driving the nations plough?

How was the populace respected?

 

Will this time be known as the age of technology?

Will it be for entrepreneurship?

Perhaps the worship of oligarchy,

or the increase in personal hardship.

 

Maybe this time will provide the spark,

to level the living playing fields,

elevating man from the industrial dark,

consolidating too many equality shields.

 

Did Magna Carta teach us a lesson?

Have we learnt from the middle ages?

What was the point of Victorian tuition?

What great mark left on history‘s pages?

©David L Atkinson May 2026  

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 144 - Awakening

 The political atmosphere around the world is at least disturbed and very possibly volatile. In the UK, there are signs that many people are desperate for a change in the system. I believe that is also the case in other countries, not least the USA. Change has already occurred in Hungary. 

Awakening  

There are signs change is coming,  

mist lifting to reveal a watery sun,  

the promise of a positive dawning,  

generating political fun.  

 

Change from younger generations,   

crying out for something different,  

tired of status quo dictations,  

demanding a fairer way to present.  

 

Beware of youngsters energy,  

take care of dangerous choices,  

no space for rampant apathy,  

avoid vested interest voices.  

 

First reclaim national media,  

don’t be fooled by sponsored bias,  

research all aspects of the area,  

avoid opinions of the old and pious.  

  

 

Don’t be swayed by political decadence, 

it’s time to make your choices,  

having examined all the evidence,   

let the nation hear your voices.  

©David L Atkinson May 2026  

God Bless