The Kings Rule Players And Viewers Alike - A poem

The Kings rule players and viewers alike

The stage is set for the viewers to see

The players perform so vehemently

The cheers and chant, the clap and rant

The kings keep all immersed in futility

The Kings rule players and viewers alike

Years come and go, acts continue to change

New stories are being written again

Old players continuously replaced with new

And the viewers told what now to view

The Kings rule players and viewers alike

The gladiators, the Nubians and the Frankensteins

All bred to plague the viewers mind

Alas if only the viewers did think

That they are enough to oust the kings

The Kings rule players and viewers alike

Betrayed, sedated and used to the show

The unrest, the suffering, continues to grow

Searching newspapers for a reason to smile

To ease the pain and all this while….

The Kings rule players and viewers alike

Comments: 34

Kamran Qureshi Jul 26, 2009, 7:25pm EDT

Boy I sure did have trouble coughing this one out!

Karen E. Jul 26, 2009, 7:55pm EDT

And yet it came so well. It reminds me of the futility of watching reality TV here in the USA

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Kamran Qureshi Jul 26, 2009, 8:00pm EDT

Karen: Yep, talk about fruitless labors!

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Jennifer Lee Jul 26, 2009, 8:56pm EDT

Thank you for posting to our group. I need time to digest and savor this one. I shall return in the morrow.

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Darren ("Site Psychologist ") Lynn Jul 26, 2009, 9:01pm EDT

So true my friend so very true.. and so ripe for the times.this would make a wonderful music video. thank you so muck.

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Cathi L. Jul 26, 2009, 9:07pm EDT

Very nicely written! I enjoyed it!

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Barbary Chaapel Jul 26, 2009, 10:07pm EDT

I read with interest, Kamran.

The wprd repitition powerfully reminds us of why there is revolution, then another.

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Kamran Qureshi Jul 26, 2009, 11:17pm EDT

Haha, Darren, with your talent you could turn anything into a video. Thanks any way my friend!

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Kamran Qureshi Jul 26, 2009, 11:38pm EDT

Thanks Jenn, as always, for this group! You're doing an amazing job for us.

Jennifer Lee Jul 27, 2009, 5:32pm EDT

Wow, thank you, Kamran!

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Kamran Qureshi Jul 26, 2009, 11:51pm EDT

Cathi: Thanks for passing by!

Marianne: It's always great to hear from you. Yes its happening all around and you're right, both on-screen and off-screen!

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Kamran Qureshi Jul 26, 2009, 11:53pm EDT

Barbary: To be honest with you
I do smell that a rev is due!

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Patti M. Jul 27, 2009, 5:35am EDT

I liked the way you came back each time to remind us the king rules. Watching the news lately, some of those that think as themselves as ruler/King, are having some trouble ruling.
They may not like the play, players, or viewers. Very well written and oh so timely.

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Kamran Qureshi Jul 27, 2009, 6:06am EDT

Thanks Patti M, I am glad it. Yes, the reminder is the only hope that maybe one day the world will become a peaceful place to live again. We need to be reminded that there is so much we can do improve the conditions of the world but the first step is awareness of what's really going on behind the obvious.

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Jennifer Lee Jul 27, 2009, 5:33pm EDT

I took this to mean literally kings and actors in plays. I have a very different view than most of your other readers.

Jennifer Lee Jul 27, 2009, 5:34pm EDT

I do love the repeated line!

Kamran Qureshi Jul 28, 2009, 12:36am EDT

Well we both know that this is always the readers privilege! Thanks for the appreciation.

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Mustafa Demiri Jul 28, 2009, 12:43am EDT

"All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts..." - Shakepeare

I am reminded of this monologue from "As You Like It", I ignore the seven ages of man for this comment and add; that upon this stage some play roles, and some just watch, while others still are writing the lines... And there are those that provide the light.

Keep providing us with light!

Kamran Qureshi Jul 28, 2009, 9:19am EDT

lol! Well that's exactly what I would do if I found any light, my dear friend. At the moment I am just as confused and lost in the dark as anybody else. Any how your comment sure did lighten up my mood. Thanks for being here.

Mustafa Demiri Aug 1, 2009, 2:09am EDT

Dear Kamran,

I've come back to read this once again. This time I have read it aloud.

It is only my opinion, and my wish that this poem be more aesthetically sound, that I offer this advice, and I certainly hope you'll not take offense. I think that the refrain is excellent, but I believe it would sound better if it appeared, but once between the stanzas. Again, I offer this as an honest critique, which was guided, of course, by my own personal tastes. And if you choose otherwise, I will not be offended. Be well, my friend.

Kamran Qureshi Aug 1, 2009, 4:46am EDT

Honest critique always helps my friend and now that you mention, I think you're right and I have made the change. I am glad you took out the time for me, offended, never my friend!

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John Philipp Jul 28, 2009, 8:51am EDT

Very clever, Kamran, on several levels.

Powerful in it's quiet, metaphorical way.

Thanks.

Kamran Qureshi Jul 28, 2009, 9:34am EDT

Thanks John! Glad you liked it.

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Kushal Poddar Jul 28, 2009, 9:38am EDT

This is really very very well written.

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977753369

out of nowhere

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René Allen Jul 30, 2009, 6:51pm EDT

This is DIFFERENT Kamran ~ I'm going to read through this a few times.

Kamran Qureshi Jul 31, 2009, 2:23pm EDT

Yes this was a different experience for, Rene! To be honest although I had a clear theme in mind but I had trouble finding the words. Thank you dear.

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Chris Brockman Jul 31, 2009, 11:08am EDT

This shows your craftsmanship in the service of an idea, a theme. Careful craftsmanship is an important element of good poetry, I think, whether it shows itself or not. Good work.

Kamran Qureshi Jul 31, 2009, 2:31pm EDT

Chris, I am very happy that you accepted my invitation and also for your comment! I don't write much at all but I have always experienced that poetry comes with a natural flow, but this time it was a different experience i.e. the theme came to me but the words didn't and I had to struggle to write.

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Chris Brockman Jul 31, 2009, 4:05pm EDT

Every poem is different because what you're trying to accomplish is different. Having a big box of tools and knowing how to use them, helps you, the architect, build great structures. .

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