Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Armchair Critics

VICE VERSA
http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com.au/
asks us to use the following words
unique/ordinary condemn/praise

ARMCHAIR CRITICS

We sit in our arm-chairs and view the passing show;
We're rather fat and slobby and our energy is low.
We never run or jump or swim or even walk too far;
And we surely never kayak or stand wobbling on a bar.
And yet we think we have the right to be a bit disappointed
If 'the athlete that belongs to us', our very own anointed,
Doesn't win a lump of gold to dangle on his chest;
For we demand, yes, we insist that 'ours' must be the best.
We praise a winner to the skies.....he represents us all;
But woe betide the athlete who may stumble or may fall.
We condemn someone who does his best but ends up in seventh place;
He's 'let us down', he 'hasn't tried'; he's a positive disgrace.
It may be true that he can't claim to be a true unique;
It may be true he's running but he's not quite as his peak;
But compared to us he's a hero, and should be viewed with pride.
And we ordinary  slackers should be thoroughly mortified.
*
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ONE MAN'S MEAT

It takes all sorts to make a world,
We hear that all the time.
I find there's something addictive
About a poem in rhyme.
And yet I know there are others,
Who find it too sing-song,
To predictable and bland,
Too easy to get wrong.
It wasn't always like this, of course;
Way back in another time;
A poem wasn't a poem,
Unless it utilised rhyme.
Keats and Shelley revelled in it,
Wordsworth did as well;
Even Shakespeare's sonnets
Cast a rhyming spell.
So it's a matter of fashion;
Rhyming is 'in' or 'out';
And rhyming will be 'in' again
One day, without a doubt.
I find the little cartoon, above,
Very much to my taste,
For I find similes galore
Frequently misplaced.
Some rambling modern verses,
Concerning 'deep emotions',
Often leave me all at sea,
Drowning in verbose oceans.
Having said that, I sometimes find
A gem which strikes a chord,
With not a single rhyme in sight,
It's instantly adored.
So I'll continue writing rhymes,
For writing them is fun
And 'one man's meat........' and all that jazz
Means there's room for everyone.
*

6 comments:

Mary said...

Anyone who even makes it TO the Olympics definitely deserves recognition and praise, I think. Your poem makes VERY good points.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

I love the message in this. It is so true, everyone there should be praised for being the best at what they do, no matter what the final outcome - it takes so much hard work and determination and sacrifice. They ARE heroes.Thanks for writing this.

Anonymous said...

so very true, I do feel the disappointment, much like cheering for any sporting team, but try to never condemn the effort. They are all amazing athletes

Serena said...

Bravo! Point well taken. There's no way us "armchair critics" could even be competing on even smaller levels, let alone the Olympics, yet I hear the criticism, the disdain at times... great message and very cleverly written.

Vaishali Jain said...

I've always wondered what makes people criticize those who have worked hard and made themselves capable enough to be a participant... even if the outcome isn't satisfactory, can't we just applaud them for giving their best?

Thank you for sharing this.

Mary B. Mansfield said...

Add my voice to the chorus, I will never understand those armchair critics who are so harsh to athletes who actually make the effort to try to compete but yet never make any attempt to wrest themselves out of the living room. Very nicely put.

I've found rhymed poetry can be a bit risky...forced and unnatural word choices just for the sake of rhyming can set my teeth on edge, but when the rhymes flow naturally it helps to carry the whole poem. And you, my dear, are masterful when it comes to the art of the rhyme!

Oh, and I just love the cartoon! Savage Chickens is quickly becoming one of my favorites. :)