Concealing What's Real

(the way it is, stop reading the media)

their function perfectly

understandable in the military

to protect and save lives

yet wherever you glance 

nowadays there is a blanket

of lies being pedalled in the

name of truth

whether political or personal

smokescreens are everywhere

they come in all shapes, all sizes

a little white fib or maybe a ton

of other half baked mountainous

disguises of deceit

swirling billowing some resembling

ghostly misty veils, others like

London smog, foggy and dense

some invisible to the naked eye

what they really are is a whopper

of a porky pie stewing

deliberately set up to confuse

to obstruct the truth to

massage effectively what's going

on underneath our noses

to hide the facts to cover up dirty

rat tricks in government or beyond

i don't know about you but i enjoy

my air pure and that's hard to do

nigh on impossible to breathe

ask yourself a question, what is true

how will we ever know who we can

gift with our trust

Reviews

[FGFRANKLIN]

"The sun needs no inscription to distinguish himself from the darkness." I believe truth to be likewise. The problem is that most people's "version" of the truth begins and ends with their opinion and comfort zone. An interesting and entertaining read. I enjoyed.

[Neville]

I have learnt to be more cautious as far as the giving of trust is concerned .. far too many disappointment, not only in some individuals, but in groups, organizations, governments and certain, so called professions, namely politicians, attention seekers and power crazed despots .. indeed I learnt long ago that newspapers, journalists and the media in general are not adverse to skewing the truth and love bodies on slabs .. because of course, that's what makes THEM money .. I also feel that society or those that collectively make up society, in general, tend to lap it up .. rant over .. enjoy the rest of what's left of the weekend Chris .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Written three years ago. Nothing changes and there isn’t anything in your rant I don’t agree with. Happy Sunday Neville and thanks for sharing your thoughts on this old poem.

Chris

[Ankita Dwivedi]

The masks hide the pain often,even the light sometimes. I have stared at the gap of the flawed idealism of society, who people are and what they pretend to be for far too long .It's time we pick up our pens and let the ink shine brighter than gold .A striking and awakening peiece of work.Poets like you imspire me ,sir:)

[Chris Shaw]

Ankita, thank you for that lovely review. If I inspire you, then I am humbled. Thank you.
read moreAnkita, thank you for that lovely review. If I inspire you, then I am humbled. Thank you.

Chris

[...]

I agree with your point here. At every event there is always something more then is just show. Lately some politicians start attacking mass media when they asking sensitive questions. For sure this have impact on mass media. You cannot simply just be objective. I member on one quote from Book Season of hell by British journalist Ed Vulliamy , when you are facing to real evil , you cannot be just objective , you have to bring truth out.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Martin, it does appear from the responses I have had on my page that we are all in agreement, something rotten to the core is taking place at the moment. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.

Chris

[...]

I think something rotten what was already at birth of human civilization. What we experienced now is already happen at ancient Greek and Rome. And for sure we will fall like they did. Here is my favorite quote from Hamlet , All is not well.

[Chris Shaw]

Good quote, and so very truthful.

[Ted Kniffen]

Most of us have allowed ourselves to be duped, willingly. It's too much trouble to think for ourselves when we can allow that little electronic device to do our thinking for us. In the words of "Dean Wormer" in Animal House, 'Drunk and stupid is no way to go through life son."
But then most are not stupid ... just ignorant, and that may not be their fault entirely. A ten second sound bite is all that's needed to cause riots when that is what you are searching for.

A good write Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ted. Share your views. Appreciate your visit. Keep safe.

Chris

[Katrina Mckeown]

Indeed Christine.. and I don’t trust no one ..I agree fresh air is better .. propaganda has unfortunately always been around.

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Katrina my friend. Hope you are OK. Not seen you for a while. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and checking in on this poem. All the best.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Christine... this is so poignant... almost a
thesis on deceit. Yes, we prefer fresh air to breathe.
"A whopper of a porky pie stewing" is what is brewing".
We are living on the edge of a precipice, indeed.
A sobering message of prophecy that we feel helpless to
rewrite; however, we will do our best to change the Tide.
truly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pat, something certainly needs to change. Sad state of affairs when none of our politicians, leaders, journalists and the media can be trusted. Sending you all good wishes and thanks for your visit and sharing your thoughts.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris... now three years later... we have a Crescendo of Terror. It is "Time" for an Intervention... Look up to the Heavens and wonder why the Clouds are Visions of Angelic prophesies...
tenderly, Pat

[Jimmy Yetts]

If you truly know the principles upon which your country was founded, you can judge which politicians are safeguarding your individual rights and which are promoting bigger, more tyrannical government.
There are damned few who fit this description--and they are always viciously attacked by a powerful self-serving Establishment.
Excellent poem, Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jimmy for the advice. I already have a good idea of the politicians who don't know the meaning of democracy and don't respect the results of referendums or elections and continually try to push their own agenda. I appreciate your thoughts and the read.

Chris

[Relic]

You bring up a good topic, Chris. I'm reminded of the comedian George Carlin when he said "Question everything! Question everything!"

Propaganda has always been around (dropping leaflets out of planes during Hitler's reign for example) but watching the TV news can manipulate anyone who is not wise to their agendas. The same for social media on the internet. I find myself questioning all the time what's real and what isn't.

I find it's getting out of control and if they don't stop, violence and corruption will continue to shape our future.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Tim. It is out of control and it's ugly, really ugly. I thank you for your thoughts. All the best.

Chris