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Monday, October 3, 2011

For "Real Toads" — no longer red

I'm very much enjoying the opportunity to participate with the online writers' group Imaginary Garden with Real Toads.
I've been reading poetry written by serious poets, and have appreciated them so much, I've even thought of becoming a serious poet myself. However, if any of you have read one or more of the 18 "unfittie" chapters in the first part of my blog, you'll see serious is not the real me.
For several weeks, I've mostly been posting photos from our August holiday in Russia with Viking River Cruises, and only once, following a horrendous disaster in a city we'd just visited, have I said anything serious.
In between, I've been posting to writing memes in the hope they'll help me get my humorous-essay writing style (see chapters aforementioned) back on track before the end of this century.
Please bear with me, fellow writers, and also followers of my blog. Right now, if I sit down with myself and think, "Let's write a poem!" most of what ends up on my piece of scratch paper or on my computer screen is doggerel. Do not, for instance, take the following poem as being in any way indicative of my opinion of the people of Russia, where we were met with gracious charm.
—K


Posted for Kerry's
Calling all Toads at
Imaginary Garden with Real Toads
Kerry has asked us to share a poem which explores a social or humanist theme — I'm afraid I've stretched the definition to its outer limit, but until my doggerel phase is over (and I hope it's soon), here we are...

we flew to russia one august day—
it took a long time, it’s so far away.
we found it’s true: it’s just like they said:
people in russia are no longer red!
in fact, we found out, in less than a blink,
whatever you think, they aren’t even pink!
entrepreneurs, all over the place,
are what’s become of the old russian race.
look where you like, in each garden plot,
there isn’t a communist, not in the lot.
free enterprise and also free trade—
with rubles and dollars both to be made!
selling and buying and having such fun,
it felt like the lotto just had been won,
but nobody warned them—it is no joke,
what happens when free enterprisers go broke.


16 comments:

ShonEjai said...

Beautiful poem! Will we ever learn to learn from each other's mistakes?

Susie Clevenger said...

Loved this...a glimpse into your Russian travels...

Lew said...

Very poetic summary of your trip! In some small communes, all may share in prosperity, but in larger social systems, some will take advantage of others for financial gain.

Gattina said...

Bravo for the poeme ! The Store looks grand !

Kerry O'Connor said...

I really enjoyed this poem - the jaunty, tongue-in-cheek tone underlines the very real observation you make.

Anonymous said...

a very light hearted and fun poem, it brought a smile to my face on a grey morning!

Jinksy said...

I believe doggerel is an ideal way of commenting on the idiosyncrasies of life! ♥ Why stop?

SquirrelQueen said...

Good one Kay, I like the way you stretched this one. We have to keep a sense of humor these days when talking about the economy of any country.

Susannah said...

A wonderful glimpse into your travels! :-)

Laurie Kolp said...

I really enjoyed reading this... it flows so well and says so much.

Mystic_Mom said...

Great poem!

Leslie said...

i love your "doggerels." this one reminds me a bit of dr. seuss :)

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Wow, Russia! (Canada isnt cold enough for you,? hee hee) I enjoyed your doggerel, especially the last lines.........

Titus said...

Witty, lively and I liked the free market bells tolling at the end!
And what a photograph!

Deborah said...

That was a delight to read, and the picture, not what I imagine Russia to be like at all!

...and Lindy is gorgeous :o)

Mike Patrick said...

Pretty darn good poem. Your observations are clear and concise, even in the light context. Nice rhymes. You could tinker with the meter maybe, but a darn good poem.