Calling Nero

Author's Note

It is midnight
We are the fiddlers and this is Rome
Shadowman holds the torch
Burn! Baby! Burn!
The mandate from the boardrooms
And we-oblivious
Singing! Dancing! Laughing!
Drinking the elixir
Of merriment and frivolity
As hope, freedom and liberty
Turn to ash with a mere stroke of a pen

Shadowman waited
And on this day, as we carouse
Holds vigil on this damned abomination
Why this day to breath it into being?
This day of expectations
This day of hope
…and the ink of that pen…
the fuel for the fire…
that turns all hopes
all dreams to gray ash

This is not the flame…
Of passion…of freedom
…of life…
This is the flame that destroys it all
And while it rages and grows
We fiddle…and dance…and die
For this is Rome and we the fiddlers…
…the Shadowman’s pen has lit the fire

Reviews

[unsavable_soul]

Not sure about this one,
It leans both ways to me. While I get most of the political thoughts, I felt they might have been a little too elusive to me in their conveyance. There is great mental imagery going on here but in my ever honesty within the piece I don't get it's overall idea, or food for thought from it. I did get the emotion though and that was strong. I come in honesty and friendship and you know I am more than happy to talk about my review and explain. I felt this was just shy of the scope of your talents, while not a lot as it has great strength, imagery, and I think base idea. My humble honest opinion.
I like this Mags, but not nearly as much as others. Any questions please ask.
Ever a friend and here to help.
Sincerely
Christopher
80/100

[Mother Maggie]

This poem was written on New Year's Eve 2012 upon hearing about the signing of the Military Authorization Act. I was seeing a reality where everyone was preparing for the nights celebrations and festivities--oblivious to the fact that with the stroke of that pen, the death sentence of the freedom and liberty this country was founded on was signed. When earth shattering events like this occur, I go to a place where I see into the heart of what is happening and then I write about it. This is the raw piece as it was first written and yes it is a bit cloudy because I don't dare pull the veil completely away. I do see clearly where it could take me and I say bring it on because I will not go quietly...

Namaste Dear Christopher

[unsavable_soul]

It makes sense,
I see where this all ties into the poem. I was being honest when I said I just didn't get it. I understand not wanting to touch it and wouldn't ask you to. I was just giving you the honesty I saw here and letting you do with it as you will. If i hurt instead of aid I am truly sorry.
Sincerely
Christopher
Goosfraba Maggie.

[Mother Maggie]

You didn't cause harm or hurt, I just got up on my soapbox again. I write under two pen names, Maggie O'Mara and Mikki O'Roarke--Maggie represents the more spiritual side and Mikki is the activist. This poem was published under the name Mikki O'Roarke--the last name is spelled with an 'a' because I roar against the establishment.

In this poem, I compare Nero's burning of Rome with what happened on New Year's Eve. Namaste and Blessed Be

[unsavable_soul]

Got you,
I do like your political or activist nature. Burn it to the ground, then let's bake a cake with it's ashes. I didn't pay attention nearly as much as I should have through history, especially Roman and Dynasties of China. Keep the power in the peoples hands and flowing from your pen.
Chris
Namaste Sister


Much love Mags

[L.Edward]

Whoa. Dark times indeed. One of the scary things about the bill was how easily it passed. Has there been any progress of the court appeals process to have some of these measures wound back? Any light at the end of this distrubing dark tunnel?

[Mother Maggie]

I haven't heard of anything. At some point, I feel that I could get classified as a terrorist and possibly arrested for some of my political views that I express through my political poetry---if it comes to that, I say BRING IT ON!!!!!

[Mother Maggie]

Dark subject matter aside, what did you think of how I compaired the signing of that bill with the burning of Rome?

[L.Edward]

Potent metaphor going on there. I`ve read something similar ( re: Nero fiddles while Rome burns ) in another online article I read. A lot of people seem to be feeling that vibe.

[Brandon S. Whitten]

Wow, splendid read and write. The Illuminati comes to mind.