navwin » Archives » The Corner Pub » Who’s afraid of the clown?
The Corner Pub
Post A Reply Post New Topic Who’s afraid of the clown? Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
wordancer
Senior Member
since 2000-07-30
Posts 809
VA

0 posted 2000-08-04 08:01 AM


What is this icon?
to which we teach our children to pray.
Holy grail of the golden arches;
great god of consumerism, an fantastic entity,
the wondrous Mickey Dees!
Ronald McDonald, the master of illusion,
feeder of the masses--
singing burgers
dancing fries
apple pie in the sky
a shabby reality bought and paid for
with the golden coins of our souls.

The fake clown with the perpetual grin!
Dead white face—mocking nose
what does he know? that makes him smile so—
And what about those flashing teeth?
(ah, all the better to bite you with, my dears)
Then we wonder why the little ones
wake up at night, screaming in fright
(hush child, go to sleep, its all right)
for tomorrow a treat, take our hands
we are going to McDonald’s land!
then we wonder why?
they cry themselves back to sleep;

take our hands
we are going to McDonald’s land!
be brave and true, we will teach you what to do
how to stand up to the stainless steel counter
to give offering for the insubstantial--
piping voices learn to pray
“kid’s meal, with a prize inside”
(don’t forget the please)
learning by rote our litany
“two all beef patties . . . on toasted sesame bun”
super-size it please—
repeat after me
super-size it please—
repeat after me…

And you wonder why…?
You are afraid of the clown.

© Copyright 2000 Beverly A. Tift - All Rights Reserved
brian madden
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374
ireland
1 posted 2000-08-04 05:35 PM


Lady Noggin, this is absolutely brilliant an excellent poem. You said it perfectly. I loved this poem, very dark hunour, something juicy and real to sink my teeth into unlike a Mc Donalds burger. I am thinking of that scene in the film "Falling Down" where Michael Douglas gets a burger, all soggy and flat, and then looks at the picture over the counter of this big juicy healthy burger...so true. BURN MC DONALDS. phew you got me all excited now. lol

"I am melancholy, flower cutting through stone"
manic street preachers

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

2 posted 2000-08-04 07:57 PM


"two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun!" YUM! (j/k) It amazes me that people actually eat that stuff...go figure. Very clever, creative poem, Lady Noggins! I enjoyed it very much!

Denise

wordancer
Senior Member
since 2000-07-30
Posts 809
VA
3 posted 2000-08-04 09:58 PM


Well now brian, if I see a trail of burned out McDonald's, I'm not saying anything.  Denise thanks for the rest of the words to the jingle....I think.
LOL,  

I read this at a writers' retreat that I went to a couple of months ago, it went over quite well.  I even got audience participation at the end and  had them repeating after me, "Super size it, please!"  It was great fun!

Lady Nogs

juliet_2u
Senior Member
since 2000-07-23
Posts 1125
North Carolina
4 posted 2000-08-05 01:21 PM


Lady, I just loved this piece. Truly good work.  Juls
Dennis L. White
Senior Member
since 2000-02-17
Posts 1463
Michigan, U.S.A.
5 posted 2000-08-05 01:42 PM


Lady Noggins,
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I lie down without a frown,
Let me rest in repose deep,
And dream not of that dreadful clown!

Great piece, Definately food for thought!(or was that thought for food)
Dennis :^)  

Moonbeams radiate
When the veiling cloud has past
Playful shadows dance

Dennis L. White :^)

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

6 posted 2000-08-06 12:09 PM


This is just fab!!!  and that really IS one ugly clown...but what a statement you've made here---just love it!
vlraynes
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229
Somewhere... out there...
7 posted 2000-08-06 12:53 PM



Lady Nogs-
   love this.  humorous and oh so true.  
   so now that i've read and responded,
   can i have a kid's meal?  

   -vicky


Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » The Corner Pub » Who’s afraid of the clown?

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary