Tomorrow, the Australian nation goes to the polls. not all of them I might add, because almost 4 million of us have voted early to avoid the long queues. The election cycle, after almost four years of government lasts a rather merciful six weeks. Voting is compulsory for all those 18 years and over.
Politics in the modern era is quite stage managed everywhere across the world, even in democracies. Little is left to chance. Even journalists are tightly managed and kept guessing. Questions often vetted. Campaigns are becoming vanilla.
Spontaneous speeches have largely been confined to the past, but occasionally speakers do stand on the steps or a soapbox and spruik their beliefs, whether constructive or conspiratorial,valid or venal.
The following poem tries to capture such interactions:
Standing On The Soapbox
Vinegar laced wisecracks fill the air
Some mad with young blood
Some stained with weariness and age
They spill from the mouths of naysayers
Poked bears and feather spitters
Lobbed with sufficient heat to offend
A slightly unsettled speaker who
Stands atop the steps refuting alternative facts and downright lies
With the glint of resolute cause
Shining back from steely eyes that stare down
This wave of invective.
Alan j Wright
Wishing Australia the best tomorrow! I hope the most reasonable, honest, resolute, kind people win! I like "feather-spitters" as a description.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tabatha. The world is a little safer this morning. Australia voted in the direction both you and I both hoped. Culture war mentality was strongly repudiated. Glad you like 'feather spitters.' It's a great old descriptor.
DeleteHi Alan, I hope that the election goes off without any issues. I love the verbiage and vivid imagery you chose to use in your poem. Thanks! Carol from the Apples in My Orchard
ReplyDeleteCarol, the election yielded a result that has restored faith in the capacity of our people to see that negativity and division hold no value moving forward. They have voted for progressive, people first, policies and a vision for our improved collective future. So glad you enjoyed my soapbox poem.
DeleteThanks for a new-to-me word: SPRUIK. Also, sending best wishes that democracy holds strong in Australia.
ReplyDeleteSpruik is a great old word and is well engrained in the Australian lexicon, Mary Lee. Feel free to adopt it. You'll be most pleased to know democracy has held strong. Our election system is robust and well managed. Voting is generally conducted with civility and accpetance of alternative views. It is said there will never be a revolution in Australia because when we Aussies get hot under the collar, we are more inclined to head to the beach, rather than storm the barricades! The election resulted in an outcome very similar to Canada where culture war mentality and Trumpian leanings were soundly repudiated. We voted for progressive, people oriented policies in education, health and workplaces. Such a blessed relief...
DeleteOh, my goodness...what a FABulous opening line. "Vinegar laced wisecracks" is FABulous. I love it. I'm hoping the leader YOU pick is better than the one my nation chose. The world needs help balancing against my nation's bad choices.
ReplyDeleteI used to hear the expression 'vinegar lips' when someone was being sarcastic. The line comes from that far away time, Linda. Glad it ressonated with you. You'll be relieved to know we chose a Prime Minister who presents as both kind, respectful and compassionate. His party brought with then, policies to match and this was embraced by the Australian electorate. Today I am proud and relieved in equal measure.
DeleteMarvelous poem Alan, I love your “feather spitters” and all the descriptive and dicey words you use—first made me laugh, but there’s probably much truth there too… Hope it finds an even larger audience, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle. I have always maintained an active interest in matters political, so the poem was an eassy extension of that. I too hope it gets to reach a wider audience in the future.
DeleteI really love that voting is compulsory. "vinegar laced wisecracks" is great!
ReplyDeleteCompulosry voting has been part of the political landscape here in Australia my entire adult life, Marcie. Some moan about it, but I think it works. I personally see it as a privilege to vote, something we shouldn't waste, or take for granted. Glad you like my reference to vinegar laced wisecracks...
DeleteI hope the election turned out well. And how wonderful that voting is compulsory in Australia! Your poem is full of interesting words.
ReplyDeleteI bring great news, Rose. Our nation voted for the implementation of people oriented polcies in education, health, housing and the work place. I am smiling this morning. Complusory voting is a winner in my eyes as you will see from my response to Marcie. Glad the words of my poem held your interest.
DeleteSo many fabulous word choices here, Alan. Vinegar, feather-spitters, wave, steely, glint, poked bear...Love them. And happy for the election results--I didn't know voting was compulsory in Australia! An opposite approach to here in the U.S., where groups are trying to take away people's right to vote... :>(
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura. Yes, the results restored a lot of hope and belief in democratic principles. Hold on to those voting rights with tenacity!
DeleteWe had our election here in Canada just recently, and broke records for voting attendance, which was fantastic to see! We don't have compulsory voting, which means some years the turnout is dismal, but I was glad to see everyone coming together to fight off the right wing party's attempts at aligning us more closely with the States!
ReplyDeleteGo Canada! The turn out to vote and the result reflected the deep seated displeasure Trump's disparaging words and actions had on the people of Canada. The response was magnificent.
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