Poems & Puns

I've always loved to play with words. Back in the day I saved them in a wicker basket, but didn't quite know what to do with them. Naked, bare puns. The kind that make people groan and walk away. My wife told me that I ought to do something with them, not just keep them in that old wicker basket. Years passed. Finally I did do something with them. Now some of them are dressed up in free verse and illustrations. It's more satisfying putting them out there like that for people to see, rather than simply listen to. Not as many people walk out of the room now. That's a relief. Of course if you look at these illustrated poems, you may get up and walk away from this website. That's ok. That part of a punster's life never really changes much. If you would like to groan and have me hear it, send a comment with your favorite expression of disgust so that my work can be duly rewarded.

Warning: Some of these illustrated poems do not have puns buried in them. Sometimes passion takes over and substance pushes wordplay right out of the picture.

There's more. My website, Meadow Creek Forge, has my complete collection of poems, all 60+ of them. They are still languishing on the MCF Poetry page waiting for recognition, perhaps sooner than later.

I'm not so sure that George Orwell predicted Newspeak. It's more like a recognition of its perpetual existence taking control of political speech with no end in sight. Listen to the talkers today citing the self evident truths announced by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence. They take these statements and twist them 180 degrees in support of the wealthy, the powerful, and the aristocracy.

Created equal is the starting point. If you don't make yourself superior, you are not understanding equality correctly.

Life is sacred, but the military and insurance people can take it from you.

Liberty means the right to walk all over those who don't do it to you first.

Pursuit of happiness is for those who do it and woe to those who don't or can't take advantage of it.

Created Equal

Jefferson penned that ideal
in intellectual honesty
only to be quoted glibly ever since
by thoughtless, mindless pundits
ironic apologists
for a national meritocracy
celebrants of rightful arrogance
the gift of station, wealth, and connections
in utter dismissal of those less fortunate souls
struggling with the day to day
vagaries of their existence

Self evident truths
high minded words
linguistic philanthropy
recited from couches of privilege
emollients
for the poor, the not so well off
to soothe a rash of life's inequities
rent, food, power, water, health,
gas, jobs, college, transportation,
survival
momentary relief until the daily mail
brings their creditors' persistent entreaties
pathos
bills

© 2009 Jon Holland

Sometimes it is necessary to write a poem that is silly and preposterous, and then toss in a dose of poignancy to elicit empathy from the reader. Well, it did that for me. Here's "Concerto for Kazoo".

Concerto for Kazoo

Found
after a childhood
of parental remonstrance, proscriptions and insults
after years of drill and rote
devoid of purpose
uninspired and shallow teachers
after a lifetime of
quiet study and thought
alone
writing and composing
in the shadows
the silent maestro
meets
the misunderstood virtuoso
the long sought hummer

© 2009 Jon Holland

The vicious, hateful behavior of the ultra right wing screamers at the town hall meetings begs for a new look into their motivation. Sometimes it is necessary to invent a new word , a neologism, to express that mindset.

Reverie

We dream of
gibbetry
and trust us
for all who thwart our efforts
you will be left behind
dangling, swinging wildly
suspended in your
hellish altruism
the failure of hope.

© 2009 Jon Holland

With all the rancor and unrest surrounding the town hall meetings, with all the support of the greedy by the the poor; it's a good idea to step back and get some stark perspective. This is a poem that illustrates the great chasm between the super wealthy and the rest of us. The middle class has moved down to the ranks of the poor, and the greedy capitalists couldn't care less. There are those among us who do care for others and take the time to stay with them through their trials.They are our heroes of humanity. It's short and has the requisite puns.

Cast Your Lot

Capitalists
roll dice and prey.

Humanitarians
dole rice and stay.

© 2009 Jon Holland

News Cycle

down in the basement
beyond the stacks
just past arch 4e
that's where we keep
all that old stuff
that nobody ever wants
until the skeletons rattle
waking from the forgetfulness
of a dead public
brought to life on a whim
by a fledgling reporter
scratching the dirt of the past
spindly legs soon to be
fleshed out and toned
running furtively through the night
breaking forth at dawn
glaring in the sunlight
flooding some misguided crooked figure
with light recognition and scorn
for a day
before dragging him down to the basement
beyond the stacks
just past arch 4e
to be forgotten like all the others

© 2009 Jon Holland