The peace talks with Iran have broken down again –
but the President is sounding confident and looking well.
Predictions promise the hottest summer on record yet –
but at least my little cat didn’t live to suffer through it.
The rising prices can’t be stopped or even slowed –
but I exercise less these days, so my appetite is smaller.
See, it doesn’t matter how bad things are –
you can ‘always look on the bright side of life!’
Though the world is breaking down in front of our eyes –
I’m already 86. With luck, I’ll be dead by then.
Written for Friday Writings #247 at Poets and Storytellers United, where we are invited to take a negative concept and turn it into something positive. This jaundiced little piece is not at all what Magaly had in mind! Normally I would applaud, emulate and endorse her commitment to genuine reframing, but – apologies, dear readers – this time I was caught in a despairingly cynical mood. Later: Nevertheless, some readers seem to have missed the ironic mood – as so often happens when I attempt irony!
I don't like thinking of our poetry community without you - but today's catastrophes do seem to be reaching an elastic limit - Jae
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jae. I don't like to think of me without our poetry community, either! Luckily, although my end (like everyone else's) must come some time, there is no sign that it will be particularly soon.
DeleteSadly, I don't think there is any limit! Onwards and downwards! Haha!
DeleteShaun, I get that you were replying to Jae here, not to me. Though it kinda fits the position I was taking, too. (Now where is the black humour emoji?)
DeleteOh yes exactly my kind of view We don't have much impact so make the best of it. And by the time it all falls apart the curtain is already closed :)
ReplyDeleteBless you, darling Marja! You have seen my outburst of cynical despair through your own beautifully positive lens, to spontaneously reframe what I said! That in itself helps me to lift my mood.
DeleteThis prompt will be a challenge, for sure. The second line is hilarious if it's a comment on Trump, but perhaps you meant the President of Iran? I'm trying to choose to be excited for the future, because one without the USA terrorising the rest of the world is surely better than what is here now.
ReplyDeleteI did mean Trump, and I'm glad you saw the funny side. I had in mind an image of him as he appears lately, exuding confidence. (Shudder!) Hmm, yes, perhaps any future must be better than this.
DeleteExcellent treatment of the theme. It's getting increasingly hard to see the sunny side of things, and you do it very well in an ironic tongue-in-cheek sort of way.
ReplyDeleteWell, thank you! You've picked up well on the tone I was aiming for. I'm glad to know I succeeded.
DeleteYes, every cloud has a silver lining, you captured that admirably.
ReplyDeleteThank you ... and perhaps look again?
DeleteWell expressed, except for the last line.
ReplyDeleteMay God give you a loooooong life, Rosemary.
May you keep sharing your lovely words.
You are a bright star. Keep shining!
That's the bright side for me!
Awww! Thank you, Anita,. In truth I do hope for an even longer life than I've already had.
DeleteThis is a powerful piece, Rosemary, speaking to a sense of helplessness many feel in the face of global doom. I like the wry humour, too, and would note that the President under scrutiny seems not at all well. There's a good chance you might outlast him.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm glad you got it!
DeleteI think you Aussies have a great sense of humour. Your government fought a war with the emus and lost. Twice. Yyour country has the strangest animals in the world. And you all are able to make jokes about these. Respect. ✊
ReplyDelete— dsnake1
I'm glad you enjoy our humour. (We do too!)
DeleteAh, yours is such a clever and neat take on the prompt, Rosemary! I love it! I fear I wouldn't be able to bend my negative disposition so elegantly, to be honest. Yet, from time to time friends and I do share a similar bright view - luckily, we won't live long enough to see all that disastrous future come into being.
ReplyDeleteLovely! Hugs!
I think that's called wry humour.
DeleteThere is too much grief in this world_ both where Trump wishes to look and where he prefers to look away from.
ReplyDeleteMaybe suffering is part and parcel of lie in this world_ it is the technology that is giving us updates now in realtime.
All we can do is blow a bit of positivity and sanity at every opportunity.
Wishing you a century as a minimum.
It's a lot to think about, isn't it? Thank you for the wish.
Deleteyou can ‘always look on the bright side of life!’
ReplyDeleteBeing positive make us ready all the time and reflect better! Wonderful lines Rosemary!
Hank
Thank you, Hank. I think you yourself are a lovely example of a positive outliook.
DeleteEven the silver linings are looking ominous. Such is the timing we live in!
ReplyDeleteRegarding your comment in my poem i was not sarcastic I'm going through therapy
And genuinely feels its magical
I'm glad for you. Good therapy is indeed wonderful, as I have cause to know.
DeleteThere is such a lot to grieve about and such a lot to feel relieved. Wish you many more poetry filled years ahead.
ReplyDeleteThank you! One thing I think you can count on is that however many years I have ahead, they'll be poetry-filled.
DeleteI thought I was the cynical one!!!! Of course I love the poem and of course I agree with all previous comments - many more years, much more poetry, and always a way to laugh at adversity. ❤️
ReplyDeleteIt's hard not to be cynical these days! And I'm not very amused really. But, as one of my friends/teachers is fond of saying, we go with what we're given.
DeleteWe go with what is thrown at us....make the best of it and don't let the bastards get you down......Rall
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rall. It takes an Aussie! I love that saying, and it was time someone reminded me of it.
Deletewhat a gem this is! I’m with you.
DeleteThank you.
Delete