Yes Virginia

part one and part 2

Virginia

Yes Virginia 

there is a hell

and it’s in the space we dwell

its not in the just rewards;

of the battlefields crossed swords

but in the selfish lies

of entitled righteous eyes

for few things dine

on life’s sublime

like the din of scorns revise

And yes, Virginia

this wretched cell

cast in a solemn shell

our own making its comprise;

as we fabricate its guise

the choice is ours to grace

to fill with rapture or debase

what we divine

shall intertwine

to what forms its bonds embrace

And Virginia

I’m so contrite

to see the aimless spite

for my spirit didn’t rise

to lift those bonds of hates demise

that the care I tried to place

never filled that empty space

I could not ride

that barren tide

lest I bear my souls enlace

Reviews

[Dave Brown]

I'll be first to admit being increasingly alarmed at the legacy, especially from our generation, about the seemingly insurmountable issues we leave for the next generation(s?).
Probably the main reason I write foolish poems and avoid the media where possible
However, I don't think mankind has really deteriorated over time, in fact we may be more of a caring society than we once were, but the consequences of hugely increased populations, still restricted to the same boundaries along with the continuing, incredible increase in technology, has the consequences of conflict being much more destructive.
Man still appears unable to live in harmony, failing to relate in a meaningful manner to the seemingly dead end we are creating.
The history of mankind has been that of conflict at every level, which has the real possibility of it, and so much else joining the Dinosaur in the annals of history.
I am not sure you intended your reader take this direction but it is something I fruitlessly mull upon overly often.
Have you figured out how to wiggle your pacemaker yet
practice makes perfect

[Robert Trakofler]

lol yes on the pacemaker I do not even try to use my seatbelt anymore that sucker hurts! Your views on this poem are amazing to me:) I wrote this with the micro and the macro perspectives I am definitely speaking to one person in this poem but it applies to what is happening all around us too

[Einstein Noodle]

selfish lies and entitled eyes .. seems those eyes claim a ground they do not have, Bunny Man .. such a mess here in the States, in my opinion .. one can not help but become discouraged, disgusted and helpless to make much difference .. where oh where is Walter Cronkite when we need him? .. :(
E.

[Robert Trakofler]

The media in general is very disappointing these days it's more about clickbait and trigger Issues than actual news and factual news:( I don't know about you but If I want to hear and read editorials I will go seek them out not get them rammed down my throat and slapped in my face every day! I am perfectly capable of rendering my own opinions if only I could get the facts without mulling thru the advertising

[Einstein Noodle]

i could not agree more ... opinions from news anchors and "analysis" from opinionists .. it's a no brainer choice says i ... dont tune in ;))) love on ya brother ..

[Chris Shaw]

Yes Virginia, and I find myself asking, who is Virginia? I sense a certain disdain in this poem for the way the world is going. We create our own hell needlessly. It could be so different. I think we are led by donkeys. While the world appears ever more troubled, your compassion comes through to this reader Bunny. I enjoyed your use of rhyme in your lines and the expression in your stanzas. Good to read you again and I do hope you are keeping well.

Chris

[Robert Trakofler]

Hi Chris, Yes Virginia is a famous story here in the states... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes,_Virginia,_there_is_a_Santa_Claus
It is my poor attempt at irony to use that name for the person of whom I wrote this about. but the thing is you are spot on there is a micro and a macro to this poem and what you see in it is wonderful even tho the subject is a rather bleak one

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for the link Bunny. Good to learn a bit of American history. All good wishes.

[Robert Trakofler]

LOL, sometimes I forget that what circulates here doesn't always circulate there:/

[emmajoygreen]

Times when negativity means a knife in the guts, methinks here? Life in this world is out of control at times yet.. the beauty it offers could be lit by your calmer words, ' .. the choice is ours to grace - to fill with rapture or debase - what we divine - shall intertwine - to what forms its bonds embrace '

Sad thoughts finely put as ever always, Bunny... thoughts that think for themselves eventually, - as you the master orchestrates. Many thanks for sharing, sir..

[Robert Trakofler]

someday I will write it out; the full catharsis of this poem. you are so very right because I can't write anything with one meaning even a grocery list LOL:/ This isn't a happy poem at all dear Emmy but sometimes I have a need to let it out this one was very painful to write.

[emmajoygreen]

Writing a sadness, a problem, a frown is an exercise in freedom to self-cure Bunny sir. Some snarl, some spite but the gentlest and best cure is being kind to self. Yes,, no.. ? I hope your power reaches inside and smiles you whole, sir.

[Robert Trakofler]

some times I wish I could reach thru the screen and hug you LOL that's what you just did for me:) I am healing dear Emmy... this wound is a deep one and a hard lesson it was but like all hard lessons I pray it makes me wiser and better and most of all I hope I can forgive myself in the end.

[emmajoygreen]

It's not easy to forgive, to forget even more. We all growl or bite at times and usually end up hurting selves more. Guess it's a. 'Peace, man-
mainly to self' Perhaps? Just nod head and smile, Biunny - and keep in touch.

[William Michael Reeves]

Maybe it's the old man in me who can't help but think of Santa Claus when I read your opening lines. Yes Virginia, this is a poetic clause. And that one line knocked me out, 'like the din of scorns revise'. Wow! When Virginia finds out you aren't real, you gently explain to her why life is so complicated in reality. Social media adds to the din. Politics seem to be all about scorn. Understandable that your spirit can't rise on the sleigh. The pen where you keep the reindeer is barren. (I could be way off but that's where your poem took me)

[Robert Trakofler]

thank you for noticing the reference:) I love where the poem took you! you have a clever ear... me thinks!

[M.E.Lyle]

I had to read this twice and read the first reviewers comments to understand it, and it is genius.
We have created hell in this place we dwell. It's insanity, this place we live.
Thanks for this write.

[Robert Trakofler]

hey hey thanks Mr. Lyle:)

[Ken Simm.]

Your signature style and wit. Even here where you are wriing about what ails your opinions and what is wrong in this stupid world. The scorn is palpable but written in such an intelligent and dare I say it poetic way. This write to me is a single cello and its melancholy.
We feel the same sense of unfairness and wrongful entitlement over this side of the pond as well.
A write to ponder on. Outside the prohibeted area of course.

[Robert Trakofler]

LOL yes yes please do mind the signage:) I'm still working on this one almost finished with the second stanza

[Robert Trakofler]

oops, here it is:) ...
And yes, Virginia
that wretched cell
cast in a solemn shell
our own making its comprise;
for we fabricate our guise
the choice is ours to grace
to fill with rapture or debase
what we divine
shall intertwine
to what forms its bonds embrace

[Ken Simm.]

Superb in the fine tradition of Americana.

[Lydia Shutter]

Hi Robert....good to see the Bunny is alive and well. Whenever I see Psycho Bunny tee shirts, I think of you! The sense of entitlement that runs rampant through our world holds hands with the sense (or nonsense)of the offended. Good rant! Lydi**

[Robert Trakofler]

This person is someone I took care of for many years so it is a micro and a macro poem it applies to the world and to a person too it turns out those tides are the courses that flow to the wretched in us all if we let it

[DIVYA]

I sense your hurt and disappointment with the attitude of the powers that be. The din of scorn has reached a decibel intolerable for your sensitive and compassionate ears. But dear Bunny this selfisness of people in high places has been since time immemorial and the common man has always fallen victim to it. Many revolutions have occurred, heads have rolled and yet things have always reverted to the old, hopeless order. Isn't there something so wrong with the world? This is certainly a thought provoking poem with amazing choice of words and wonderful rhyming. I loved it.

[Robert Trakofler]

yeesh, you see me from a mile away, don't you:/ I still have more to say to Virginia but its hard to compress the emotion yet

[DIVYA]

I'll look forward to more of your posts.

[Robert Trakofler]

I finished it, dear Divy

[willweb]

Nice little capsule of thoughts you bring us today. I like the feel and the construct of this poem. There is a certain worldly feel amidst a bit of darkness. Nicely done.

[Robert Trakofler]

LOL the pent-up frustration that was in this ink was like a river flow coming out of a fountain pen