Dark Angels

Their shadows stir and mutter

But too low for you to hear,

They often lapse in silence, when

A group of you appear,

They hunch down in their hoodies

Or they mix with the elite,

It’s hard to tell the goodies

From Dark Angels in the street!

 

They populate street corners

Sell their poisons down the line,

They wait for you in alleyways,

Give in, and you’ll be fine,

Their friends are dressed in uniforms

With batons, on patrol,

But ready cash backhanders see them

Under their control!

 

They have no moral compass

And in that, they’re not alone,

They sit up in the boardrooms

Hold the mortgage of your home,

They never pay their taxes

But they lecture you on yours,

And hold the nation’s flag aloft

As soldiers fight their wars!

 

They’re chauffered in their limousines

Avoid the ghetto slums,

But help their fellow henchmen

By supplying them with guns,

They hold a friendly congressman

A captive to their will,

And promise fair elections

If he’ll pass a certain bill.

 

They’re there electing Judges

Who consolidate their power,

For money is the way they bring

Your poverty to flower,

While barristers distort the law

On technicalities,

They free the dire offender,

Bring the victim to his knees.

 

They’re out there in the daylight

And they’re hidden in the night,

They’re constantly recruiting

Just to feed their appetite,

They revel in corruption and

Rely upon our greed,

The Devil and his minions,

Dark Angels of his seed!

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[外人 (Gaiji..]

Sadly a lot of people are able to do anything for "god money" :(
I think there's a great society satire (at least a satire about a part of it) here :)
The poem is amazing, technically speaking, the sounds in the verses really surprised me, great rhymes, and I could even "sing" it in my head. Great job =D

[Sourav]

Quite extraordinary! Strong words and wonderful depiction.

[Mark]

Very well crafted, I never once felt as though the lines were forced and the rhythm carried me all the way through. The subject matter was a little confusing. 'hoodies' to me indicates young people but then you were obviously talking about super wealthy people later in the poem.

I think you were probably describing different types of 'Dark angels'? gang members, drug dealers, thugs hiding in alleyways waiting to rob you, and the super rich ...

Anyway, despite the confusion I was drawn in to the poem. well done!

[Extant]

I could tell this was anti-government from the start, or at least anti- something.
It is amazing how far on drop of corruption can roll, all the way down to our everyday protectors, the police. But I am hanging on to the line "It’s hard to tell the goodies, From Dark Angels in the street!", because yes, there are even good people out there, as you mention again with the "friendly congreeman". How can we weed out the rotten from the ripe?
I wouldn't deem this angry, this has a more frusterated tone to it, and I must agree with you on every point, David. You are not alone.

[FocusedAmnesia]

I like that when you read the first verse, it already gets the gears in your brain going, and then you read on to the next verse, and you either adjust your opinion and read on, or just read on. It constantly keeps your thinking. Amazing.

[Barbara Walker]

Oh this is so on the mark, except I believe they rely upon their own greed, not ours. You say it all so eloquently. I wish they all had a copy of it, not that it would make them change their ways. It would be great if it worked that way!

[Coyote Poetry]

Scary part. Your poem is true. Lobbyist control Washington. No-one talk of peace or plan to assist the needy. War and foolishness is all we hear about. Old world is on a bad road trip. We need to change the road we are on. Maybe it is the Devil? But when wealth and greed is the goal of a land. Poor people pay the price. Thank you for the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Kristopher d. Taylor]

I enjoy the symbolism and freshness. I especially love that it is fresh but rugged.

[Dayran]

A truth and a way of life twisted to suit the fancies of depravity is indeed a sad picture of the condition of life for the rest. It interferes with what we may believe is possible and is a poor handling of the qualities of life's experience.

To not give in to such bullying and castration of our own beliefs is an important part of sustaining the way. It starts from within and even as we view such dilapidations, physically in life, we realize the imposter that it is, suffering the pain of being in high profile yet hidden unto themselves. On our part, by focusing on what's best about us we experience the representation of what is possible.

[Seyi Ojenike]

This is a nice poem full of symbolism.

[Audrey Howitt]

Dark angels come in many breeds and invade many echelons of society--what a wit you have!