Predictable, unpredictability

absolute power corrupts absolutely

Predictable, unpredictability

there are men that we fear

their only predictable trait,  

their preposterous unpredictability

we deride their crass absurdity

but we know not where and when

their poisoned arrows may pierce

 

we see them as clowns and jesters

fools and pompous charlatans

adorned in emperors clothes

but they reflect our own foolishness

we mock and deride their folly

but do we give naughty children guns?

 

there are others, more dangerous

they appear respectable, as world statesmen

but in truth, are common thieves,

their power pilfered by force and guile

mere actors strutting confidently on the world's stage

applauded fearfully, but fearing no-one

mock them at your extreme peril

these men are blandly predictable, but deadly

 

then, there are men and women of integrity

we know their names

they seek not power, fame or fortune

in corrupt corridors, their mortal fate is determined

by the men of bland but deadly predictability

Reviews

[Robert Haigh]

We are guilty of electing the wrong people into power, time after time. True, we can only vote for whoever is standing for election, but Joe Public has got to take some of the blame. I will always vote, because if we don't vote we have no real right to complain! But choosing who to vote for seems to be getting harder and harder. None of the main parties here in the UK appeal to me right now. But yes, I'll still vote!

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Robert. I agree with you, of course we should vote. Unfortunately there are many places where voting is not an option or just a sham.
All the best,
Alan

[Swoo]

Wow!
This is very deep and thought provoking - fantastic poem!
Makes me think of so many of our world leaders!!

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Swoo for your kind words. I certainly had a few of our leaders in mind.
All the best,
Alan

[Lisasview]

Goodness gracious..how lucky I feel to have come across you.
I was reading the reviews on another poem and really liked your constructive critic and thought I would look you up.
This poem is so strong and relevant .Now more than ever.
I plan on reading your stories. I too write short stories.
Only been submitting for the past 2 weeks..first time I have submitted anything in my life.
Lisa

[alanwgraham]

Thanks for your kind review Lisa. It does seem to me that those with real power such as Putin are often unaccountable. My main thing has been short stories but the well seems to have run dry recently. I have a few ideas I have started on so wish me luck. I you have time to read one of mine a recent story 'because it is there' is one of my best.
I hope your own writing goes well.
Good luck.
Alan

[Lisasview]

I will read it tomorrow..
My well never seems to run dry with ideas.. my issue is always the ending.
Did you read my 3 poems?
Lisa

[Arundass TP]

A great personality review written beautiful

[alanwgraham]

Many thanks Arundass for reading and your kind review.
Take care over Christmas,
Alan

[Arundass TP]

Thank you friend

[barleygirl]

It's a sad time for people of reason. Since the clamor is so all-consuming in the USA, I've missed what's going on in the rest of the world becuz I'm blocking out all our s**t here. But I do catch a blurb now & then that Trump is the poster child for evil-doers around the world these days. I felt something, back when this whole Trump saga began. I was overcome with fierce blowback that I bit back becuz the Trumpers are so damn vicious in defending him & so relentless in mocking him. But nowadays I feel nothing but utter amazement & that's what I'm picking up from your poem. This feels like the narrator is simply making observations without reacting to the extreme outrageousness being described. It's like a parody and a paradox. What you're saying is so flabbergasting, yet your tone & delivery are practically deadpan. There's something sinister about that combination (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[alanwgraham]

Great Margie, you always have something relevant to say! My prime aim here was to remind us not to focus on the easy target of Trump but watch the big beasts skulking in the undergrowth! We just have to get past November first!
Look after yourself.
Alan

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Oh a poem with snake bite! The venom in this is deadly as you pick apart the way things are today in many societies and how those who want to return to a more humanistic, kinder and fairer world are so at risk!

[alanwgraham]

Thanks John, it can be depressing to see how the world spins but I think we just know more about it. There are plenty of good people around but not enough in power.
Take care.
Alan

[Anastasia]

Back in 1983, Dan Kiley wrote a book that he titled the “Peter Pan Syndrome. People with Peter Pan syndrome may be intellectuals and people in high places and yet they can't “get it together” and notice things like: a pattern of unreliability and flaking out. emotional outbursts when facing stressful situations. I feel a lot of men out there grow up but never really grow up. I feel maturity is the key here. All human values are based on maturity which is the ability to delay gratification and be able to place others before oneself. They seek not power, fame or fortune, as you said. Because they have risen above human greed and its deadly predictability.

[alanwgraham]

Thanks for reading this Sabrina and your very thoughtful comments. I think there might be much truth in the Peter Pan syndrome and there is no doubt some maturity is needed in some quarters.
Hope you are coping with our present situation.
All the best,
Alan

[Betty Hermelee]

Fear is predictable, but the unknown is unpredictable; these are people will strike at any moment with a vicious comment, or other. We mock them because they make no sense; they say one thing and do another; or simply lie. There are others who are unpredictable because they appear normal, but are really poisonous; they are also mocked. they fear no one. There are people of integrity who are branded by those who are predictable. A well written compare and contrast of unpredictability and predictability.
Great Alan; best, Betty
PS were you thinking of our dear leader and our country as a divide?

[alanwgraham]

What do you think?
Thank for reading and sharing your thoughts.
Take care hillbilly!read moreWhat do you think?
Thank for reading and sharing your thoughts.
Take care hillbilly!
Alan

[alanwgraham]

Sorry Betty, not sure where that came from. You country is an enigma but many are. Please don't send Trump back to Scotland!
All the best,
Alan

[Betty Hermelee]

We may never get him out!!

[Lia Columbus]

This poem boldly depicts the harsh truth. You can never know the heart of a man. Everyone is unpredictable... It's a matter of scope and situations. All thought this amount of uncertainty and unpredictability by men of position, harm the country and eventually humankind profoundly.
Lia

[alanwgraham]

Thanks Lia. We are living in dangerous times and with Trump so unpredictable we don't know what could happen. What is truly frightening are millions that support him.
All the best,
Alan

[Lia Columbus]

I am really surprised that so many Americans supported him. If I were an American., it would be totally devastating. It still is, because after all its the hrgemon country, it affects the world in so many spheres

[alanwgraham]

I'm afraid I'm not surprised Lia. We have these racist bigoted people in Britain too. That's why we have Brexit - crazy.

[Lia Columbus]

Sad but true....