War of Words

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

“You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.” - John Lydgate (English poet)

In my humble opinion, they should not go into politics who fail to appreciate the wisdom of Lydgate’s words. Most if not all of us have to compromise sometimes; it requires give and take on all sides to get the best deal available for everyone in what are inevitably circumstances enough to test anyone’s mettle. Sadly, fair play and politics (world, national and local) do not often go hand in hand; the rhetoric is there, and plenty of it - it's election fodder, after all - but sadly not always backed up by action.

This poem is a villanelle.

WAR OF WORDS

A war of words in everyone’s face,

fake news stirring up the media fray,

lending tunnel vision pride of place

Good intentions on everyone’s case,

rumours-and-gossip, Dish of the Day;

a war of words in everyone’s face 

Dead Cert, favourite to lose the race

(ever in the running, come what may)

lending tunnel vision pride of place

It’s a brave soul dares cut to the chase

once primed to keep home truths at bay;

a war of words in everyone’s face

Anticipation, needs must touch base,

providing the world with plenty to say,

lending tunnel vision pride of place

Should ever we fail to make our case,

it’s not the Devil we know wins per se;  

a war of words in everyone’s face,

lending tunnel vision pride of place

Copyright R. N. Taber 2019, 2020

[March 23^rd 2019]