Now You, My Son

We're in an age of boring life
where poets play with rhyme,
and women paint their faces bright
and dreamers drift through time;
where all the gods have been dethroned
and pack the butcher's chest,
awaiting feasts, where those atoned
are crowned our noble best.

We're in an age of planting blame,
and dancing 'round, in awe,
an ancient flame, the very same
those slaves of pharaoh saw;
that shines its promise to the night
with visions raised to tame
and coax the beast in man to fight
and blind him to his shame.

We're in an age of ignorance,
where glaring truths can fade
and constitute no hinderance
as specious points are made,
and pliant minds are swayed,
and real is bent and twisted back
to mask, in innocence,
the laughter of those with the knack
to charm through arrogance.

We're in an age of righteous hate,
where men choose groups to cling,
and brotherhood is there for all 
who know which songs to sing;
who pack in rallies, now banal,
and rage on with their king
through spit and sweat, all sycophants,
assured what prayers will bring.

We're in an age where strangled dreams
are left in heaps to rot;
and plastic hope, recycled, seems
to double what we've got;
where proof pervades the plot,
a song of angels stuck in time,
each echo more perverse
and still the melody sublime.

We're in an age, the only age 
that man has ever known.
We've felt it swing from rest to rage
and back, and heard the moan,
as wailing ancients shake their cage
and beg us take the throne.
We offer nothing for their pain
and all their blood has sewn.

Now you, my son, were born with eyes
and ears a lot like mine.
You'll see this world of nurtured lies
and hear the squealing swine
and know that all the knots man ties
are rooted in desire,
and take your fill of everything
and let them see you smile.

Author's Note

Please let me know what you think.

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Poet… we had a Constitution that guided our Days… now we need Protection from the Loose Cannons that destroyed our Morals. It is a Sad Day… but Hope remains and the Sun will Rise after the Reign of Terror. tenderly, Pat

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading, Pat! :)

[Neville]

................ bloomin good and thoroughly enjoyed ...........

[mattavelli]

Thank you, Neville! :)

[John Cardwell]

Great poem Matt! Masterfully crafted, insightful. Thanks for sharing!

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading, John! :)

[Pete]

wow. i don't even know where to begin. there is so much stark truth herein. i think each man pursues his own path however twisted but to do so with love and reverence is paramount. we must keep aware of the legacy we are leaving behind. i could go on forever about this poem. there is truth, religion and philosophy in these words. what a far-reaching gem ... :)

[mattavelli]

Thanks, Pete! :)

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

"We're in an age of ignorance,
where glaring truths can fade
and constitute no hinderance
as specious points are made,
and pliant minds are swayed,"
OMG Matt, what a beautiful son you have-Congrats!!! Yes, he looks so much like you and he has a wonderful father writing him this insightful, amazing poem/cautionary tale of the strange and difficult times we live in. Great language, rhyme, flow, metaphor, alliteration, imagery and most important message. With a good father's deep love and concern, you are teaching your beloved son how to safely navigate the deep waters of the age he will now grow into. With you as a Dad, he can't fail dear Matt!
"and take your fill of everything
and let them see you smile." Perfect.

[mattavelli]

Hi, Annette, thanks for reading and the sweet comment. :)

[NotUsinganymore]

Interesting poem about the new life we have.

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading, JungLee! :)

[NotUsinganymore]

You are welcome

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

This poem is filled with so, so much truth and it's so wonderfully explained and expressed in poetry and prose. Well done. Tyfs

[mattavelli]

Thank you for reading, Cyprian! :)

[mattavelli]

I took your advice and changed the title. I think it ties in better. Thanks! :)

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

I agree, good for you man. I think you're right.

[Robert Trakofler]

this is a gem Mattavelli Maestro! we have similar mindsets you and I:) and the craft and flow of this is wonderful, to string all of these thoughts into one piece is brilliant

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading, Bunny! :)

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Wow I agree with the previous review from Betty that it’s a lot to review and would take a book
You’ve put a lot of interesting thoughts in here
I’m no good at reviews I just call myself a ditty person not even a poet but I loved this so just want to say that simply it’s very good in depth interesting and thought provoking piece !

[mattavelli]

Thank you for reading, Julie! :)

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

No worries.
Man I wish I was good at reviews but loved it ! Take care

[mattavelli]

I'm not good at reviewing. I dont review most of the poems that I read here. When I do, I tell them that their writing is lovely. Then I point out what seemed special about it, like rhythm, theme, or phrasing.

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Ok yes I do too sometimes

[Chris Shaw]

You cover a great deal of ground here in this write mattavelli. Life as seen through your eyes as you have lived. You don't paint a pretty picture here. We have to find our own contentment and that doesn't come easy these days. . Your son will have to find his own way and hopefully he won't make the mistakes that others have made. Thought provoking write. I started to think about my grandchildren and what I wish for them. I want them to have happy contented lives. If I could grant them that I would be a very happy woman myself.

Well penned stanzas and rhyme scheme.

Chris

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading, Christine! :)
Yes, I left prettiness out of this one. Haha
I want my son to be happy too. He's an only child with few cousins, so I worry.

[Betty Hermelee]

WOW Mat, there is so much in this poem to think about, that it would take me a book to review it. But I must congratulate you for putting together a complicated, thoughtful poem with amazing words that flow and rhyme and still make so much sense. You touch on tough subjects like blame, boredom, ignorance, hate, destruction of our own planet and so much more. I think this is a treasure, absolutely brilliant!
Best, B

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading, and the great review, Betty! :)

[Betty Hermelee]

You deserve it Mat!