I sometimes find myself scrolling addictively through social media. I shouldn’t but I do. Some contributors there produce the most virulent and abusive bile against others for no reason other than these platforms actively encourage it. The viciousness and level of lying beggars belief. But I am guilty of supporting it by reading this garbage. I must stop this stupid practice. In the meantime, this piece surfaced, tongue in cheek. So read, enjoy, pass it on and give me feedback.
Clichés Undone
Where there are two or three gathered in my name,
you may be sure they are tearing strips off me.
My ears are so red, they stop the traffic in both directions.
Conversation and cackles degenerate into pure malice,
and the assassination of my character continues,
as they eviscerate every element of my being,
to the point where even I do not recognise myself.
They have created a new Frankenstein
to be feared, avoided but also terrorised.
And the worst, the very worst - the destruction
is completed by using very tight-lipped niceness -
the most silent lethal weapon on the planet.
Peter Clarke
John Matthews
Hi Peter,
07.11.2022 11:14
A great observation! Social media can be a scary place... I also need to reduce my time there
Hugs,
John.x
Leo
06.11.2022 16:24
A great one, Peter, in the context you describe. I don't read social media myself, I doubt my equilibrium could stand it. 'The balance of his mind disturbed' yes, I think it would be.
Jack Abell
Yes, gossip is a weapon of mass destruction.
In my business as well as personal life I have zero tolerance.
06.11.2022 15:59
Latest comments
25.11 | 22:15
Grief is experience through the mundane. Simple but powerful. The accompanying image really compliments the poem.
07.11 | 11:14
Hi Peter,
A great observation! Social media can be a scary place... I also need to reduce my time there
Hugs,
John.x
06.11 | 16:24
A great one, Peter, in the context you describe. I don't read social media myself, I doubt my equilibrium could stand it. 'The balance of his mind disturbed' yes, I think it would be.
06.11 | 15:59
Yes, gossip is a weapon of mass destruction.
In my business as well as personal life I have zero tolerance.
Echoes of the Old on the New Battlefields
Warrior chiefs of the GAA were early on the field to prepare:
Posts and cones positioned to mark territories
Very young novices came later by parents’ chariots
clad and shod for the ensuing battles
Firstly, paced for speed, resilience and flexibility,
then marked off into opposing teams
Each warrior chief led a young squad of hopefuls
in further exercises to bring them to fit levels
There followed a huddle, an exhortation rant,
responded with clamour of intent and enthusiasm
Skirmishes began, speed across the field, hunt for the ball,
to be delivered as the goal, or to be prevented at all costs
Warrior chiefs egged on, instructed, altered the field of play
the young ’uns complied with fighting spirit
For every fall and hurt spells were cast on the side line
till fitness returned and they were entered back into play
Scores mounted, roars enhanced, casualties grew,
novices flagged and regrouped across the fields
Between bouts came the talks of encouragement
Stay back, pass, pass, pass, keep the pace.
Old hands passing skill onto new palms with dedication,
a gift of generous wisdom gladly given
Peter Clarke
20th April 2024