Write a sonnet? We’re on it…join us at dVerse Poets pub.
Nation in danger when politics rule
Tyranny takes away power from fools
Everyone divided is fascist goal
Everyone’s private life under control
Left’s thought police want to strip away rights
Right’s arming themselves for future gunfights
Name-calling reveals our lack of respect
Angry tantrums reveal moral defect
Democracy works when wisdom prevails
But tyrants take over when self-rule fails
America’s greatness in books on shelves
We will be ruled if we don’t rule ourselves
Let’s learn to debate in civilized way
United AND diverse, in strength today.
Often sonnets are love poems and I do love America. But we Americans can give too much “weight” to politicians / politics of power and miss the greater picture of “We, the people”. Can we celebrate plurality but not force conformity? Can we discuss our differences and respect all persons? Let’s each work on our own character rather than defame another’s. No more being “ugly” to fellow Americans!
a poem in my pocket 
Jan 17, 2019 @ 17:16:38
I like your message Lynn and its about time to set aside differences and work together.
Jan 09, 2019 @ 05:02:18
Compliments:
You message was clear, nothing left out.
The rhymes did not feel forced at all.
Thoughts:
1. A bit too didactic — preaching to the choir. I wonder if humor, irony, metaphor or some other vehicle could give it a different impact.
2. The didactic element was emphasized by lines beginning with a stressed syllable. It is not iambic pentameter and thus more of a soapbox rant.
3. AABB CCDD EEFF GG is not English or Italian rhyme scheme, I think.
Concerning politics, sure, we can say be nice, be nice, but we need solutions – compromises perhaps, but solutions — niceness won’t work sometimes, I think.
Jan 09, 2019 @ 10:52:04
I appreciate your compliments and thoughts shared, Sabio! We definitely need action/compromise more than “niceness” but I see too much rudeness online. Cooperation begins with mutual respect.
Jan 06, 2019 @ 19:35:58
“We will be ruled if we don’t rule ourselves” — a certainty, and that can mean American maniacs or it can mean taken over by another country. We need to get our sh*t together. Aside from your message the form flows very smoothly, not sure how you did that but I like it 🙂
Jan 06, 2019 @ 21:38:12
Thank you kindly!
Jan 06, 2019 @ 12:42:36
Very well said. There is so much polarization now, I have no clue how it will be bridged. You are right, we, the people, have to demand change, as those at the top have forgotten it’s about us, not them.
Jan 06, 2019 @ 08:54:56
Strong stuff!
Jan 06, 2019 @ 21:40:59
Everyone’s ranting so this is mine 😉
Jan 05, 2019 @ 20:10:41
You are exactly right … loved this line…. We will be ruled if we don’t rule ourselves
Well Done!
Jan 06, 2019 @ 08:19:50
Thanks for reading, Dwight!
Jan 06, 2019 @ 14:31:41
My pleasure!
Jan 05, 2019 @ 15:18:46
Content aside (because everyone has chimed in on that… positively), this definitely meets the criteria of a sonnet. Well done!
Jan 05, 2019 @ 19:24:20
Hey, thanks, Charley!!
Jan 11, 2019 @ 06:14:50
You are welcome!
Jan 05, 2019 @ 10:53:34
Good observation: “Angry tantrums reveal moral defect”
Jan 05, 2019 @ 10:56:21
Thanks, Frank. Mature adults should not throw tantrums…or rant online.
Jan 05, 2019 @ 08:49:16
well said! and it applies to every community, respect for diversity and love of others before self. an unconventional sonnet but the lines flowed. i can see the volta in the last 2 lines.
Jan 05, 2019 @ 10:55:00
Thanks for your comments, Gina. Even when we disagree, we should love others.
Jan 05, 2019 @ 16:53:29
yes I am a firm believer of that, we disagree on pints of view but we love the person who holds them
Jan 05, 2019 @ 19:23:59
I agree, Gina!
Jan 05, 2019 @ 08:26:32
So timely. If only people could talk, really talk, and have an honest exchange of ideas, then perhaps, no one will be so afraid of and angry at the person on the other side of the argument.
Jan 05, 2019 @ 10:51:18
Yes, real talk not just online quips.
Jan 04, 2019 @ 18:15:36
Politics have become a part of self identity long ago in the U.S. in my opinion ( which is based on many interactions and time spent there) compared to Canada. We just live our lives and politics is something more personal. We rarely even know, speak or care about other’s opinions on the matter. It’s really sad to watch from across the border.
Jan 05, 2019 @ 10:49:36
Thanks for sharing your perspective, Mish. People can get too wrapped up in politics and party affiliation.
Jan 05, 2019 @ 10:59:24
Yes, that’s what I have observed, unfortunately. I wish Americans would travel to Canada as much as we do to the U.S. They may be enlightened by a few things. I love the U.S. for travel, beautiful places and people, don’t get me wrong, but the focus is vastly different.
Jan 04, 2019 @ 14:36:13
Amen Lynn, but good luck to us. As they say, “that ship has sailed”, “the inmates now rule the asylum”, “we’ve left the gate open and the pigs are already loose”! I fear it may require more than discussion and diplomacy to straighten this mess out… I see violence coming, and I hate violence. Sorry for the negative. Happy New Year to you Lynn, and to yours.
Jan 04, 2019 @ 15:16:51
Violence, hate and fear are the enemies…NOT each other. Happy New Year to you, Rob!
Jan 04, 2019 @ 14:21:42
We need to understand that we can agree to disagree,
we need to see that the strategy to win is to listen, understand and compromise…
that is democracy and the world we have is not a terribly wrong (we are just led to believe it is)
Jan 04, 2019 @ 14:26:50
Exactly, Bjorn, and I thank you for listening 🙂
Jan 04, 2019 @ 13:11:03
Right. You know, and aI know, America is a great nation. Let us not be fooled by hypocrisy, let us be aware of the power of other people, let us come back to wanting to know each other, and let us be real. Jesus Christ is the ruler of Earth. Ai love your poem, even if not terribly conform with style.
Jan 04, 2019 @ 13:21:09
Yes! I appreciate your comments. My “non-comformist sonnet” is 14 lines and iambic pentameter (i think) but rhymed in couplets 🙂