They fuck you up, your heroes do.
Those most in need are those who choose
the Rooneys of this world,
and even now at my great age,
mine are a deeper shade of sage -
and some are even midnight blue.
Con artists all, they sell you short.
We're ferries at a channel port,
role models roll both on and off -
no wonder wiser elders scoff!
And if it's true, the world's a stage
and we but act our given parts,
it follows that our heroes too
are stage personae, lacking hearts.
There's nothing there, the soul to please,
but comedies and tragedies.
We choose them when we're least informed,
then wonder how we get deformed.
They're not all bad, but - rule of thumb -
you would not take one home to mum.
Jingle Poetry's prompt for this week was Idols, Role Models, Mentors. It started a train of thought that resulted in the above offering.
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26 comments:
nicely written david and i appreciate those comedians with personas of misfits haha! thank you for sharing this.. my potluck- http://fiveloaf.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/nectar-from-heaven/
I have never really understood the worship of sportsmen (and women) oh yes admire their skill, their beautiful physics etc but to hold them up as role models ... they will always fall short!
Oh, nicely done indeed. How very perceptive. Loved the tie to Shakespeare.
I enjoyed that, and the ending was perfect.
The sentiments ring very true, pacey and clever.
Oh, I can identify with this. We follow so easily, don't we?
Brilliant Dave! I read something, somewhere, with the same sentiments a couple of days ago so not only have you entertained me, I've now got to go and have a brain-rack.
"We choose them when we're least informed,
then wonder how we get deformed."
I hope the people who blindly make role models out of rockstars and sportstars should read that line and understand what they mean.
It also made me understand what Kurt Cobain meant when he said he wanted to get rid of his fake fans.
So many levels, this has...
I think everyone has had that feeling of being let down when the see behind the facade of one of their heroes. You took that feeling and turned it nicely into a poem.
well written..it tells about the life faced in stage
bravo, very daring and brilliant words.
magical flow.
you rock.
A++
Beware their feet of clay ... or is it beware the ides of march? either way, worship at your own risk.
Very clever and funny but so true! Idols seldom live up to the image we bestow upon them.
wonderful poem Dave...the trouble is that we all have feet of clay!
Brilliant rhymes and super words.
Couldn't agree with this anymore David! They fall with a huge crash right from there..
Smiles xx
heroes or scapegoats?
nicely done
Heroes and role models constantly let people down because of the high expectations placed on them :-).
It really is our own fault.
Honest piece, sir.
Oh yea, David!! There is a whole lotta truth in what you've said here... We are drawn to certain "players" cuz we like their "act"... but not all are selfless and philanthropic :) Idolizing to an extent is okay.. beyond that, it's all a matter of our choices really !!
I like this poem.. it hs a superb message in it!
fiveloaf
Much thanks for the comment. Shal look forward to reading yours.
jane
Absolutely. I'm with you on this.
Leatherdykeuk
Couldn't leave him out, him being one of my heroes!
Madeleine
Thanks very much.
120 Socks
Glad you liked it. Thanks for saying.
anthonynorth
We do, and sometimes without realising.
Titus
Those kinds of brain-rack are sometimes traumatic for me. Take care!
Arnab
I whole-heartedly agree with your first point.
I did ot know the Kurt Cobain remark, but I think I see what he meant.
Carl
Yes, a two edged thing, a hero. Beware the feet of clay! Thanks.
Umamaheswari
Hi! Welcome. Thanks for your comment.
Jingle
Great to have your comment. Thanks - hope "daring" isn't code for something else!
Oh YEs! This basically sums my view on idols, etc. I have never really had one and now I feel okay with that.
(I promised Jingle that I would read 12 poems starting from the bottom and skip every other one. I had completed my reading then saw your name a few names above and thought "what the heck, let's go visit Dave before shutting off the computer for the night." Glad I did.
Helen
I now realise that in reply to Carl's comment, I pinched your phrase. Apologies and thanks.
Lolamouse
Thanks for the response. I seem to be getting more unanimity than I'd expected.
Gerry
Yes, I think you've put your finger on it, there.
Olivia
We load too much upon them, maybe. Good to have you commenting.
Isabel
Good question. Thanks very much for visiting and for the comment.
Windsmoke
True. Much thanks.
thingy
Yup. The fault dear Brutus, lies in us... Thanks.
Kavita
Welcome to you. Your remarks, too, are much appreciated. Thanks.
Lydia
I,too, am very glad you decided to visit. You are very welcome. Thanks for coming and thanks for such an interesting comment.
Exactly, Dave. I stopped looking up to people when I was a kid, no heroes for me, only honest and real people.
Yep, nothing there the soul to please, but comedies and tragedies! And of course the last line hits home! Delightfully lighthearted :)
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