Yesterday’s News

say what you mean
mean what you say
don’t allude to your feelings
while turning away
don’t hide what you’re saying
behind veils of mystique
with words rarely spoken
that sound like they’re Greek

spell it out in an instant
there’s no need to stall
use language that’s simple
the best type of all
not dressed in disguise
but upright and proud
though it might raise an eyebrow
just speak it out loud

i’d rather the truth
the truth that you see
although once you have said it
i may not agree
we might on occasions
not share the same views
but that doesn’t mean failure
it’s yesterday’s news

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

"I'm just Second Hand News, just Second hand news...yeah"
or as Cat Stevens sang..."Say what you mean, mean what you say, say what you're thinking and think anything"
Masterful work here..."Veils of mystique"don't necessarily make our words more powerful...they shield with guile and dishonesty"

A poem is not a failure if we don't see it the same way as the author...it's yesterday's news to be determined by the bloke reading it...
really good piece here, Chris.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear J for your encouraging words. Pleased you found so much here, particularly the song references.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Many of us don't agree with our family or friends a lot of issues, but that doesn't mean we hide the truth and our feelings....what is the problem in speaking your mind? it's so much better than falling behind...secrets are hurtful...so come out and say what you mean...if only....we could all see the same thing....but...
Warmly, B

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Betty for your thoughtful response. A little poem that was inspired by one of my dear relatives:) Hope all is good with you.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re very welcome dear Chris, I’ve missed you for a while, glad you’re back!
Warmly, B

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Betty. Life in the real world has a habit of taking over at times. Much as I love poetry, there is a limit to the number of hours in the day.

[Betty Hermelee]

I can agree with you on this!

[andrew mitchell]

If you’re reading yesterday’s news, that’s a good thing, you’ve made it into today. Yes, some people use a direct approach, others a long and winding road! Nice work Chris, did well with the end rhymes.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Andrew for another encouraging review. Pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[Nima.Hope]

Truth is appreciated but I've seen times that two people would wish that none of them told the truth to one another. It's hard. Well, it seems to me like this, hard and controversial.
Thoughtful poem dear Chris. Thank you for sharing with us💐.
Take care ma'am.
Nima

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Nima my young friend. So pleased to have a visit from you and for your share. Thank you for the flora and your good wishes. All the best to you.

Chris

[Nima.Hope]

You're always welcome dear Chris.
Best wishes

[Einstein Noodle]

bold and bodacious Ms. Chris! finding my "voice" in the abstract and philosophical places i have to say ... Guilty ma'am! ;) so let me disagree .. i like hiding yet getting it out .. much of the time .. when i first started my attempts at creative writing and expression .. i took several "poems" to my mother in law to read and ask for opinions .. she gave me advice that has stuck with me ever since .. be careful with the abstract .. if no one understand what you have written .. what good is it? i agreed and agree now .. but .. i still do not write, for the most part, without striving to inspire thoughts of different colors .. i thoroughly enjoyed this one of yours .. it clears the air and cleans out the sinuses :))))))))))))))))))))) great stuff as always my friend
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Hi Mr E, thanks for the smile and your very welcome visit. I’ll let you in to a secret. The inspiration for this poem had nothing to do with poetry but far more about the generation gap:) However, that’s the wonderful thing about poetry, it can be so subjective and that’s the way I like it:) So pleased you enjoyed your visit and I too enjoyed your share. Have s happy Sunday.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

i did kind of take it my own way but ... communication is so easily broken and damaged these days with any number of words ... triggered in a way not meant by the speaker; but non the less, powerful and disconnecting ... pity ... taking a bit of time to breath, relax and seek to understand the other side of the gap before moving ahead can mean the difference in a permanently damaged relationship or the opening of a whole new world of discussion, respect and union .... pity eh!?
E.

[schlanks]

Very cohesive and well put. I love when the style of the writing and the message work together so harmoniously. This feels like a poem holding its head high.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for a lovely encouraging review schlanks. I appreciate you stopping by.

Chris

[Soren]

So true Chris. It is not what you say but how you say it that makes the difference. We all have opinions and should be allowed to voice them. Now days this is difficult with heightened sensitivity. I was always taught that honesty is the best policy. Political correctness has come about, in part, because no one has learned the manners of how to tell someone something.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks for such a thoughtful response Soren. I appreciate your words. Have a great day.

read moreThanks for such a thoughtful response Soren. I appreciate your words. Have a great day.

Chris

[Andrew John]

Shall I use fancy words to say what I think of your poem? Nah! I just love it. It says what it says. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Andrew. Pleased you stopped by. Have a good Tuesday.

Chris

[Neville]

You just said what a whole lot of people wish they had said or could say & you wrote it all down so well too .. so that now if they so wish they can cut n paste whenever the fancy takes them .. N :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you my friend for the nice comment. Have a good Monday.

Chris

[Neville]

tis true I tells ya and nowt but a real pleasure Oh' and you too our Chris ..

Neville