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The Best "Ism"

I think the best “ism”
Is ventriloquism

Every system needs a critic
And every puppet
A fall guy

And today’s comic
Is yesterday’s prophet,
Right?

It is a song of both
Innocence and experience

But ultimately
Kids aren’t really
The intended audience

(Though we’re all kids at heart)

It is a classroom
Most of us can enjoy

And some ventriloquists
Have really done
Their research

Sexist puppets
Optimist puppets
The clowns
And the grumps
And the pundits

Brevity is the soul of wit

And ventriloquism
Is the art
Of honesty

Of cushioned
Cunning honesty

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Comments

Brittle Light (Al), I wrote this before you commented on your poem about humorists. Lol. This is my tongue and cheek answer to the Ism question in poem form. As a liberal arts grad, I tend to be more okay with looking through the world through isms. And I don't completely mind humorists going in that direction. Any way we make sweeping assumptions, and put people in jail-boxes, is to me evil, though. Hopefully this will put a smile on your face. And would love to hear what you think of it! cheers, greg

author comment

thanks drey!

author comment

I concur
ventriloquism is a great vehicle for pooh-pooing anything and everything
and, "cushioned cunning honesty" makes it so (like pleasantly flavored medicine)

As far as "isms" in general go;
I'd rather be called stupid or an asshole or simply wrong, than a fascist or a nazi, because that would be more likely to be true. "Isms" tend to be bigger than needed to rebut another person.(overkill)
but of course, not all isms, in and of themselves,are negative.
as in the case of ventriloquism

I liked and enjoyed your poem
relatable theme, light and insightful

if there are any critiquable points on form or execution, I'll leave that to others to decide

thanks,

Al

sorry if it bothered you that I posted about my poem on your comments. I was trying to reach you, not advertise.

author comment
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