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Critical Analysis #1
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warmhrt
Senior Member
since 1999-12-18
Posts 1563


0 posted 2000-01-19 10:43 PM


they can look
straight
into your eyes,

and lie...

like there's no tomorrow,
like there's no judgement day.

non-humans
no heart or integrity
no hint of emotion

they call it professionalism.

how do they learn to shut off
their conscience, their emotions?
on and off,
on and off,
hey, just where is the switch?

it should be a rule that the switch
must be brightly colored,
like hunters' orange,
we then could find it when
we wanted to hear the real truth,
not their truth.
when the switch is off,
we would know to just ignore
the rhetoric they spew like
so much waste gushing from
the end of a sewer pipe.

what should we do with the ones
who have no conscience at all?
perhaps it would be best to put
them together, all in one place,
so we'll know where they are.

warmhrt

© Copyright 2000 warmhrt - All Rights Reserved
Vincent Spaulding
Member
since 2000-01-16
Posts 59

1 posted 2000-01-20 04:31 AM


I liked your poem. Without honesty no meaningful human relations are possible.

"perhaps it would be best to put
                      them together, all in one place,
                      so we'll know where they are."

Such a place exists.  It's called Washington D.C.


Wordshaman
Member
since 2000-01-17
Posts 110
Illinois, USA
2 posted 2000-01-20 04:41 AM


In the past year, having had my a** kicked by the professional writing world (I'm on hiatus    ), I can entirely relate with this piece.  Flick on, flick off, f*ck off to all of them.  Sorry for the gratuitous swearing, but I'm terribly passionate about the subject.  Nice piece, Warmhrt.  Adieu et au revoir.

Wordshaman

warmhrt
Senior Member
since 1999-12-18
Posts 1563

3 posted 2000-01-20 07:51 AM


Vincent,
Glad you enjoyed.  D.C. is what I was referring to in the last stanza, and the state capitols, along with city halls.  I and my neighbors are waging a battle with the latter.

Words,
Good that you could relate ... means I said something.  I love French!
Thank you for your kind comments.

warmhrt

patchoulipumpkin
Member
since 2000-01-01
Posts 196
Bermuda
4 posted 2000-01-20 11:33 PM


good poem title by the way, very fitting.  I can understand what you are talking about, and what makes it even more sick, is that it gets worse when numbers of people with the same mentality get together, and "up the stakes" of their professionalism, until you are left to deal with fifty perspectives that are all right, and need to be taken into account, because.....(drum roll) they are professional.  Its hard, and you're right, i've often thought it would be ingenious if we were like chameleon's and showed our "true colours" in relation to our mood.  
warmhrt
Senior Member
since 1999-12-18
Posts 1563

5 posted 2000-01-21 11:07 AM


Patch,
Even if they were chameleons, nothing would change, because they don't get nervous or change mood when they lie. They do it like it's second nature ... part of the "job".
I have to be professional in the work I do,
but I am honest.  They don't have to lie ... they choose to lie, and they do it in the name of professionalism, giving the whole concept a bad name.
Sorry ... there I go rambling again.  Thanks for reading and commenting.

warmhrt

jbouder
Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534
Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash
6 posted 2000-01-21 12:34 PM


Grasshopper:

It looks like you get the honor of being the recipient of my 500th reply.  *Jim hits [PLAY] in the applause soundtrack ... then hits [STOP]*

Taking shots at lawyers, politicians and real estate developers now, are you?    Seriously, I really enjoyed your poem which actually read more like a lamentation.  Just tell me who it is, WH and I'll beat them up for you!

Your flow here is smooth, your words well selected, and you drive your point home powerfully.  Nothing bad to say about this one.  Nice work.

 Jim

"If I rest, I rust." - Martin Luther


warmhrt
Senior Member
since 1999-12-18
Posts 1563

7 posted 2000-01-21 01:43 PM


Jimteach,
Aw ... you just wanted your 500th (wow) reply to be a nice one.   Thanks ... sincerely.

It's the mayor, eight city council members, and the city planning commissioner (a lady).  Think you can handle 'em ... I'll help.   Such a gallant teacher ...

warmhrt

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
8 posted 2000-01-21 02:30 PM


ROFL@Vincent Spaulding's Washington DC comment

warmhrt...I'm like Jim, I don't have a bad thing to say about this one. Your subject matter is very timely and cleverly thought out. Your flow is smooth, the layout works well. Over all, great poem  



 At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet. ~Plato

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