One More Sonnet

Tag: Society

  • Your Better’s Best.

    They say: “the pen is more mighty than the sword”.

    I say: “let’s put that adage to the test.

    America, for union and accord,

    we need not greatness, just your better’s best.”
    .

    You need not be the greenest land on earth,

    nor the keenest prize in a treasured chest.

    America, I say: “for what it’s worth,

    we need not greatness, just your better’s best.
    .

    When you advance yourself beyond today.

    When you follow the sun from East to West.

    America, I say: “that come what may,

    we need not greatness, just your better’s best.”
    .

    America, in you we all invest;

    we need not greatness, just your better’s best.
    .

    © Tim Grace, 1 November 2024

    To the Reader:
    All of those “nice Americans” have let us down; they have surrendered to the darker side of their national character. A backward search for ‘greatness’ will only serve to lock-down progress towards a better state of the union. Vested interests have taken hold of America’s future. And sadly, they see the constitution, democracy, and the rule of law as mere impediments; obstacles to be avoided – a fool’s game.


    To the Poet:
    Sometimes, as a poet, you have to put aside literary conventions so as to emphasise what you really want to say. In this sonnet, I’ve drawn upon a range of literary devices to construct a rhythmic narrative that’s constrained (ABAB, BBBB, CBCB, BB) – anchored to ‘best’ which is the landing-point of each stanza and the final couplet. In this way, I’ve done my ‘best’ to make my point – I was conceived in America!

  • Social Offence

    Social Offence

    Never under-estimate self-interest:
    a motivating drive that self-rewards.
    Take note, observe the well-feathered nest,
    lined full of comforts; as pleasure affords.
    Don’t take for granted self-interest’s desire;
    don’t be gullible or slow to your feet;
    don’t be surprised by what Self will acquire;
    don’t be the lender who has no receipt.
    Take heed, be ready, keep track of the score.
    Self seeks advantage, full measures the gain.
    Take nothing for granted, rest not assure,
    Self seeks indulgence; treats else with disdain.
    . Indulgence of self at others’ expense.
    . A cruel investment … a social offence.

    © Tim Grace, 4 May 2013

    To the reader: Possession brings them pleasure and reassurance. Put crudely, their conniving motivation is greed. They are the players who want more than is their fare share; cunning manipulators that contrive a self-serving solution. The psychology of greed would find its origins in an unresolved, deep-seated, sense of lacking… ‘poor me’ seeking restitution; ‘poor me’ retrieving what I’m owed.

    To the poet: In the writing of a poem like this there has to be some emotional investment in its authorship. In its composition, it has to express annoyance and disappointment; some skin in the game. As I put pen to paper, I draw upon genuine feelings of frustration to validate my argument, to test its impact and authenticity. In its reading, I need to recognise those same unclaimed investments… the emotion must be raw and real.

    Social Offence
    Social Offence
    Picture Source:
    http://youtu.be/RZwmPBP2JHI

  • Amplified Invasion

    Amplified Invasion

    An amplified invasion so disturbs
    the peace; a cavalcade of decibels
    on drill: marching the streets, pounding the kerbs.
    Exploding sound-grenades and mortar shells.
    A wall of sound, invisible to touch,
    yet so capable of prickling the skin.
    Audible ferocity; far too much
    to absorb – loud and deafening din.
    A relentless, raucous calamity;
    no definition, a cacophony;
    no room for nuance, blunt audacity;
    no conduct befitting a symphony.
    . To turn down the volume is sound advice,
    . Those who cannot hear pay a heavy price.

    © Tim Grace, 4 March 2013

    To the reader: Walked past a bar in Bondi… note to self triggers idea for sonnet: “Loud defines itself as big and bold; amplified beyond a normal range of tolerance. And that’s the point – tolerance. Loudness has a relative setting calibrated to a social context. There is no right or wrong volume but there is an appropriate volume. Big and bold is admirable to a point; beyond that point it becomes demanding and intrusive.

    To the poet: Walked past a bar in Bondi… loud noise obliterated social exchange. There’s a pleasure in writing from experience. The non-contrived foundation establishes a convincing script. Chances are an authentic narrative attached to a real reaction will resonate with others. And so it was, that evening in Bondi, I was ambushed by an amplified invasion of noise; grabbed without consent.

    Amplified Invasion
    Amplified Invasion
    Picture Source:
    http://youtu.be/eXJo83oHs4M