pax Versions I and II

pax Versions I and II

A Poem by annie lee
"

Rome offered constant entertainment to keep their citizens' attention diverted from the powerful rich and their disastrous toll on the Empire. Is the same thing happening today? revision follows.

"

version I
  

bread and circuses,

spectacle and savagery,

blood flowing like wine,

mighty Caesar hopes to bank

the seditious fires that

smolder in the breasts

of his common citizens.

“divert my subjects’

thoughts. let them forget want, need,

hunger, war, taxes and plague.”

bounteous pleasures

will guard the mighty Caesar

‘til piteous cries

of hungry children waken

their fathers -- blood flows like wine.

 




Version II

bread and circuses,

spectacle and savagery,

sweat, water and wine flowing:

mighty Caesar hopes to bank

the seditious fires that

smolder in the breasts

of his common citizens.

“divert my subjects’

thoughts. let them forget want, need,

hunger, war, taxes and plague.”

bounteous pleasures

will guard the mighty Caesar

‘til piteous cries

of hungry children waken

their fathers -- blood flows like wine.

 



© 2013 annie lee


Author's Note

annie lee
rengo (more than one tanka linked) tanka is 5-7-5-7-7. This subject is a fervent belief of mine. playing with line redos. friend suggested "blood flows like wine" was cliched, so I changed one line, but kept it on the last line. Whaddya think?

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Featured Review

You betcha the same thing is happening now! So many people can name off movies, songs, what Brad Pitt and Angelina are up to, etc. Ask them about the things happening in this country. Ha! It is a joke. Love this. I hope people read it and think! Angi~

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.




Reviews

cool, a masterfully crafted write. Very nice

Posted 11 Years Ago


You betcha the same thing is happening now! So many people can name off movies, songs, what Brad Pitt and Angelina are up to, etc. Ask them about the things happening in this country. Ha! It is a joke. Love this. I hope people read it and think! Angi~

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Corruption is echoed blatantly throughout this entire read, could be our modern society is headed in the same direction, watch anything online, a bit different theatrics but much the same. Very intriguing read, much food for thought here.

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

A splendid read and write...Thank you for sharing...:)

This review was written for a previous version of this writing

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

annie lee

11 Years Ago

Thanks for reading Pax. I have been lurking about reading your popular poetry, but have been silent .. read more
Sami Khalil

11 Years Ago

Wow. Good to know...You are welcome...:)

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126 Views
4 Reviews
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Added on June 22, 2013
Last Updated on July 7, 2013
Tags: bread and circuses, corruption, deluded citizens

Author

annie lee
annie lee

Prunedale, CA



About
I'm a tough old broad who spent almost 30 years at Ma Bell, and that is high level training for surviving in the jungle. Thank you for your patience. I am retired from the Unix and Linux world, but w.. more..

Writing
forbidden forbidden

A Poem by annie lee



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