Wednesday 6 June 2018

The Wednesday Poem #46 - Friends, Romans, Countrymen

Friends, Romans, Countrymen,
lend me your ears,
there's more to life than money,
cash won't wipe your tears.

Friends, Romans, Countrymen,
when the poor have cried,
who was there to listen,
and swallow their false pride.

Friends, Romans, Countrymen,
what cause withholds you then?
what is the price of honour,
what cause will rally men?

Friends, Romans, Countrymen,
O Judgement thou art fled,
when justice is denied,
the streets get painted red.

Copyright Roger Tichborne 2018.

There is a fine tradition in of cracking speeches in to rally the nation. Winston Churchill address to the nation about the Darkest Hour. I love to study fine speeches. I am a student of such fine speeches. A true leader can stand up and rally the nation. Think of Queen Elizabeth I when faced with the Armada. This is well worth reading. Another great speech, made by someone who sadly seems to have sullied his reputation beyond repair is that by Ken Livingstone in the aftermath of 7/7. It is well worthy of study.

In todays poem, I recall the first example of such a fine speech. We need to rally the nation against injustice, austerity and greed. I am not a great orator. I just wish we had a Prime Minister who was and who had the inclination to rally the nation to make is great in the true sense of the word.






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