Growing Pains
Every year at Christmas,
I decorate the tree,
Adorn it with childhood ornaments,
Listen to Christmas music.
I wake up really early
On Christmas morning
Because I never got over
That childish excitement.
Every year, we go to Chili's
On New Year's Day,
And pretend like the service
Is still decent.
This year is a little different.
This year,
I did not decorate.
We did not read the Bible
Before bed time.
This year, I lost a sister,
But gained a brother.
Went to their wedding
On the winter solstice,
Cried because growing up
Is more to do with letting go
Than with holding on.
This year,
I am learning that I won't
Always be at my parents
For Christmas,
That bills have to be paid,
My niece will grow up
Not knowing her aunt
Because I will only see her
Every 4 months.
It's talking to my sister more
In the past couple of months
Than most of my childhood.
I've learned a lot this year,
And I'm evolving into adulthood,
Slowly.
I'm not ready to give up
Unwrapping presents,
Paper ball fights,
Seeing my family,
Falling in love with the past.
But this year,
I'm learning how a heart
Becomes fertile soil,
Plant your love inside,
And it will grow over time.
My home is made of
Love trees,
Decorated with ornaments
Of childhood,
Of memories,
Of loss and gain.
I am still growing,
Away.
Up.
Distant.
Stronger.
I am growing fulfilled.
-Seraphine the Poet
Fuck a Duck
So at Christmas time I am prompted to write a little article about Phil Robertson the patriarch of the ‘Duck Dynasty’ empire that through merchandize and advertising sales has generated anywhere from $400,000,000 (yes 4 Hondo-million) to $500,000,000 (half- a-bill) so far.
Since its inception in March 2012 the show has exploded. I personally didn’t know that redneck, white trash, right-wing Christian bigoted racists could afford cable but who am I?
And, that seems to be their target audience for both A&E and the advertisers who ultimately support the ideology that’s represented in the show.
Along with the political and religious point of view that Mr. Robertson espouses is of course ( for most rational, intelligent, compassionate people) a blatant attack on the GLBT community and the African-American community. The ‘double’ of pig ignorant, scared fools that seem to live primarily in the Southern states.
The likes of Ted Cruz and other bozo politicians who have jumped on the back of this issue to appease their base or curry favour with the T-Party morons are plain ( I actually typed Palin instead of plain the first time, coinkydink or not?) ….simple.
I think that having as many, what I would call redneck, white trash, stupid is a virtue cable shows available for ‘other’ morons only reinforces the culture of stupid and makes it acceptable.
The likes of ‘honey boo-boo, dick dynasty, Dog the bottom feeding asshole, et al ( there are plenty of others) gives courage and boldness to idiots who wouldn’t otherwise open their gobs and spew crap.
Phil Robertson is just the latest example, there will be many more to come.
So when racist bigots get ‘mouth time’ only bad things happen. So if it walks like a duck, sounds like a duck and looks like a duck, go fuck it!
Merry Christmas.
TDB.
A Decade and a Lifetime apart
The last time I saw her, she was grinding her teeth like flint with gasoline leaking from under her eyelids. I didn't want to see her. I do better pretending she never existed in the first place. An ignorance is blissfully numb when every memory is a busted lip. I'm 27 years old and still haven't learned to love without someone over dosing once the spoon has been sucked dry and the fire is too hot to hold.
This is Molhem. When he's not dodging bullets, he's firing his camera. Shooting Rebels unloading on the government forces. Capturing fighters as young as 13 years old armed and squeezing triggers like a pinky promises isn't enough. 3 fingers up to guarntee death he will end as many lives as he can as long as he leaves his friends and what's left of his family alone. The AK-47 he's holding belonged to his father.
I've had a horrible feeling in my stomach thinking about the conversation I would have to have with my father. Explaining what happened, why she left, why I didn't tell him sooner. What I was going to do now. He proceeded to tell me about straightening my life out. Forget poetry, get a real job, and grow up. Dreams are just that, dreams. Once he realized I didn't need his encouragement to kick my heart in the ribs, he let me know he was glad to see me.
Some of the pictures Molhem shot are of people searching through rubble for survivors. Slabs of rebar and concrete possibly burying the dead or slowing turning into a grave thanks to the air raids and explosive barrels dropped. A child, no older than 4 years old holding his father's hand and afraid of the thunder of shelling. Rebels carrying their wounded to safety. Teens warming themselves by fire inside of what used to be a washing machine.
Pizza. Football Sunday. An email from someone I didn't want to hear from. I came across Molhem's story while scrolling facebook on my smart phone. At his age, my biggest concern was finishing school. My contribution to society was my lack of being a menace to it. Even now, I don't know what I'm doing. The crossroads are endless when their not flooded with cross fire. I have a decade of life over Molhem and growing. But he's lived so much more life in the time he had during mine.
"17 year old photographer Molhem Barakat killed today while covering the battles at Al-Kendi Hospital, Aleppo"
-DCR
Propaganda
It has become quite clear that school system has forgone the option of training our children to recognize when they are being lied to. When I was in school, we were educated in forms of propaganda so that we could step back and look at all the facts. This is a listing of the most common forms of propaganda found in our society. I’m literally copying this information from an old handout given to me in 8th grade. I would like to thank Mina Dosher for teaching us to question everything.
Types of Propaganda:
Name Calling – Attaching unpopular epithets to people or groups you don’t like. Examples: Commie, Radical, Racist Pig, Juvenile Delinquent.
Glittering Generalities – Speaking in broad, sweeping terms without specific qualifications on definition. The use of “catchy” slogans that are meant to capture your attention or money. “The American Dream is being threatened by enemies at home and abroad.” “I believe in the common man.” “Our preschool provides a modern learning experience.”
Transfer – Transferring emotions from one idea to another. “With Charleston cigarettes you always get an extra taste of springtime.” “The Democrats have done well by this state, so elect Toney Anaya.” “What’s good for Chrysler is good for the nation.”
Testimonial – Endorsement by a well-known individual or organization. “Bobby Bachfield always starts his day with a bowl of Vita Vim Cereal.” “My name is Carl Maulden and I never go anywhere without my American Express card.” “My campaign supporters include the Teamsters Union, the Reverend Jim Bakker, and Ivan Boesky.” “My name is Lee Iaccoca, and I’m asking you, for the good of your company and your country, to take a 5% pay cut.”
Word Magic/Loaded Words – Choosing words with high positive or negative emotional loading. “Why be satisfied with old fashioned detergent, use Mr. Pow!” “Officer Krupke, we’re not bad kids, we’re just deprived.” “He’s a real Uncle Tom.”
Bargain Price (The Time and Money Saver) – Suggesting one’s price is lower than the competitors, or that the product saves you time and money. “If you pay a little more for our stuffing, you save time on the turkey.” “If you elect me as county treasurer, you’ll save money for the country and yourselves.” “A halfway house is cheaper for the taxpayer than keeping them in prison.”
Plain Folks – Trying to appear as one of the group. “Our pancakes are just like my dear old granny used to make back on the farm.” “I’m just a working stiff like all of you.” “I’m running for governor, but you can call me ‘bro’.” “When I was your age, I liked boys too.”
Snob Appeal – Appealing to the desire for status. “Sports. She loves them. Meets exciting people that way. Art? Anything from Rembrandt to Warhol. Her cigarette? Countess. That lady has taste.” “Contribute $250.00 or more and your name will be printed in our program as a patron of the theater.” “Only a few can afford this kind of luxury.”
Bandwagon – Everyone else is doing it and you’re not “in” if you don’t. “It will be a mandate on election day.” “Everyone’s flying Swift Air.” “Don’t miss your chance to go with a winner.”
Facts and Figures – Statistical facts and figures prove a point. “Ivory is 99 and 44/100% pure.” We put our facts right up in front because Fact cigarettes are lower in tars and nicotine than 99% of all other brands.” “Just take a look at my opponent’s record.”
Card-Stacking – Overemphasizing favorable points while de-emphasizing or ignoring the unfavorable. “I was merely doing my duty as a free citizen and they dragged me in by sheer police brutality.” “We have to make a little sacrifice in our taxes to win the war against pollution.” “Joe’s time in prison for a crime he did not commit is more than made up for by his exemplary record in law school.”
Direct Order – Appealing to the desire in people to be told what to do. “The Lord says, ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself.” “Go out there Tuesday and vote!”
Truthful – Attempting to make the audience feel like the advertiser is telling the truth by admitting a few of their problems. “We’re not the biggest bank in town, but we are the friendliest.” “We’re number two, so we try harder.”
After reading those, I’m sure you realize how the media uses propaganda to illicit responses from the public. Just out of curiosity, how many of these techniques are you guilty of? I found a few that I do, mostly subconsciously. Remember the next time you’re told by an advertisement what you should think, feel, buy, etc., to look for the hidden truths and manufactured information because you could be somebody’s pawn in a game of corrupted chess.
-Phill Tomlin
BURN
The fire didn't mean to start
I mean
Who starts sparks n watches them fly
Just to watch it burn
Do you yearn for a lover
Or just like to feel your heart bleed
Hard dicks only last so long
And beauty is forever
I mean
Hard tongues and watch what you say
Because
I can see what you feel from over here
I have been trained that way
Play
Thats how I teach my clients through therapy.
But I choose not to work through things too
Just to feel
Embrace the pain
Fuck it away
I choose to make it stay
-Sunny
