LEADERS - not followers

Saturday, April 16, 2011

DAY 16 - NAPOWRIMO 2011

Posted to Writers Island


AN OFFER I CAN REFUSE

None of what they say to me
Is written down on paper
Do they really think they can
Expect me to remember?

Some of what they say to me
Seems to contradict itself
Their minds forever changing
In a constant state of flux

Half of what they say to me
Is intended to confuse
The other half is bullshit
That’s not just my opinion

Most of what they say to me
Is inept and insincere
Delivered by their spokesmen
And designed for flattery

All of what they say to me
Sounds hastily prepared
The words they use sound hollow
And the way they say them, crude

Finally they say to me
‘Take your time to think it through’
What I want to say to them
Would be better left unsaid

Posted by at

22 comments:

  1. vivinfranceApril 16, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    Who said what to you? An election leaflet perhaps? Whatever, your reply is pungent and full of exciting writing.

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  2. IselfApril 16, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    Amen!
    "I only know that what they say has not come true for me." (Buddy Holly)

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  3. Stan SkiApril 16, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    Thanks to:
    Viv; Many people have offered me incentives for various reasons over the years. This combines some of the techniques used and my thoughts on them... not worth the paper they're not printed on...!
    Iself; These kinds of promises are never quite what they seem.

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  4. anthonynorthApril 16, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    You've nailed it here. People say so much to get us on their side - whatever they want, sell, try to persuade, etc.

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  5. Stan SkiApril 16, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    Thanks Anthony; And the motive is always for their own benefit.

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  6. Dave KingApril 16, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    Very clever. I enjoyed this immensely.

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  7. Ron.April 16, 2011 at 6:13 PM

    Nothing "delivered by spokesmen & designed for flattery" can be good. Would that we just tune it all out.

    I loved the rhythm established here. Great stuff.

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  8. Stan SkiApril 16, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    Thanks tp:
    Dave; Glad you liked it.
    Ron; Some people...

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  9. ElizabethApril 16, 2011 at 10:35 PM

    As I read through your words, I saw flashing images of faces, all with their mouths open, saying much the same thing. No names, no meaning. Worse are the ones who no longer believe in what they are selling and you can hear it their voice, see it in their eyes.

    Elizabeth

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  10. brenda wApril 16, 2011 at 10:57 PM

    The meter and sound in this piece work, Stan. I kept going back to look for rhymes that were only hinted at. Well executed! I chose four words from this for a wordle I'll post on the Bozone tomorrow.
    ~Brenda

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  11. Stan SkiApril 16, 2011 at 11:09 PM

    Thanks to:
    Elizabeth; I got similar images while writing it.
    Brenda; I'm pleased you found words from my post, and I will post a piece from your wordle - but it will be posted for Monday (time difference) :)

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  12. ChristineApril 16, 2011 at 11:28 PM

    Like the way you begin each phrase. Fabulous read.

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  13. Mr. WalkerApril 17, 2011 at 1:28 AM

    Some people have no tact and some people have no shame. Stan, an excellent take on communication and how its abused. And you last two lines, a perfect ending.

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  14. flaubertApril 17, 2011 at 1:29 AM

    Love the last stanza, Stan. I have heard that bit more than once in my life. Nicely done.

    Pamela

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  15. Stan SkiApril 17, 2011 at 2:00 AM

    Thanks to:
    Christine; What 'they' often present is a little bit of this , a bit of that, and not much of anything...
    Mr.Walker; Most of them can't talk the talk, never mind walk the walk.
    Pamela; I think we all have.

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  16. GloriaApril 17, 2011 at 4:20 AM

    'They' say so much more between the lines. Well written Stan.

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  17. Andy SewinaApril 17, 2011 at 7:57 AM

    Clever stuff Stan!

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  18. AnonymousApril 17, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    I like that there are more than just a couple stanzas to get the point across...seems to emphasize just how often we hear this kind of "line"! Well done!

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  19. Madeleine Begun KaneApril 17, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    Good job. I can relate!

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  20. Stan SkiApril 17, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    Thanks to:
    Gloria; 'They' do say a lot, and half of it is BS.
    Andy; Cheers Andy.
    Whenwordsescape; They're everywhere we go.

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  21. Stan SkiApril 17, 2011 at 2:34 PM

    Thanks Mad Kane; I reckon we all can.

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  22. AnonymousApril 18, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    This one is interesting.

    ReplyDelete

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