I am the American Devil

Cherry

By seannelson

Fri, 22 Oct 2010
  • 1420 reads
7 comments
 

I am the American devil:
the barbarian,
the war-monger,
the self-serving capitalist,
the spoiled libertine,
the hypocrite

Dressed in comfortable clothes
made in terrible sweat-shops
from Indonesia to Thailand to China,
I feast on imperialism

And yet, yet, yet,
I am a truly minor devil:
sick, drug-addicted and
living below our "poverty line"

Now, the folks on the hill,
driving their shiny new BMWs
and donating their millions
to buy us another Vietnam:
they,
as they'll smoothly assure you,
are good, simple, charitable
"Christian folk"

Certificate U
Opinion

Comments

Submitted by insertponceyfre... on
brilliant last line Sean

 

Submitted by seannelson on
Thanks French. Here's the song that essentially sparked the poem(over a number of years and combined with actual experience) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbcLpP5YrWw
"If I send you post-cards from the side of the road: photographs of movies, and hearts about to implode"  -  Elliott Smith

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
Very well thought out poem, enjoyed.

 

Submitted by Highhat on
Pretty horrible isn't it? Nice poem. Nailed it very well :)Pia

Submitted by seannelson on
Hey Pia. Tell you the truth, I'm actually a very indifferent person concerning many things in this world. But yes, on a certain level, it's pretty horrible. Or we could compare Iraq to Vietnam, and say that our murderous imperialism is less murderous than it used to be... and so the world is progressing in a beautiful fashion. And Vietnam would be hard to top for imperial slaughter, so our utopian bubble would be unlikely to be burst. I think if I cared too much, I'd lose my ability to make concise rhyming observations... which actually is a useful service for many people. I quite originally told my girlfriend that all the world's a play. She replied by observing that if this were the case, there are some very bad actors. I hate losing debates, but I'm afraid I did. However, though her statement was true, I'm going to ignore it and continue acting as if it were all a play(and considering that I'm a theatric personality, maybe for me it really is in a limited way.) your e-friend, Sean
"If I send you post-cards from the side of the road: photographs of movies, and hearts about to implode"  -  Elliott Smith

Submitted by seannelson on
See Pia, I'm really not a literary act. I'm a half-psychotic, over-intellectualized prescription pill junkie; I have no fucking idea what's going on in my own life, let alone international affairs... so don't take it too seriously. At times, I have a foggy grasp and I like to scribble about it. Yes, at a certain level, the U.S.A. is (*&(*^*(^ed up and barbaric. But of course there are also a lot of good people here, beautiful country, everything necessary for a high and progressive life. I, however, would be messed up if I lived in France, England, or Zaire. I seem to have an ability to write these little pieces that some people find compelling... but if I was ever a serious intellectual(I forget,) it's quite passed(in reality and ambition.) your e-friend, Sean
"If I send you post-cards from the side of the road: photographs of movies, and hearts about to implode"  -  Elliott Smith

Submitted by Highhat on
Sean,I think a lot of the time the power mongers seem to make decisions that we just can't grope and all we can do is observe and then get a bit uptight that our little play is disturbed by the horrible violence. I am far away from the decision making and live in my own little play with home comfort and think sometimes about the fruitlessness of power and war and wait for a paradigm with a lot more hope and joy. Because essentially I wish for a lot more pleasure in life for everybody. A bit idealistic I know but it keeps me happy. That means that I should spread joy in my wake- ha and I try because I am really a very happy person. I allow myself that after a long life filled with all sorts of good and bad experiences. Good luck with your life and don't be too defaitistic. I'm sure you will manage very well in time. Have faith in that! cheers Pia ;)