Meeting The Pressure

(For those unfamiliar with USA Sunday morning television, Meet The Press and Face The Nation are well-regarded, widely viewed news broadcasts.)

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Meeting The Pressure

Even on Sunday—maybe even especially
on Sunday—maybe even especially
on this particular Sunday—
almost everyone he encounters is busy
meeting the press and facing the nation—
or at least attempting to face the nation,
despite their indecision
about which face to show.

Even the most placid doves among them
screech like hawks into the microphones,
ruffle and preen for the cameras,
hopeful that their feathers and cries alone
will suffice to somewhat mollify,
if not fully reassure the flock.

But it’s a shameful sham. Nobody
has anything to crow about.

Almost everyone in the audience,
fearful but hopeful,
observes the aimless flights of fancy
and remains near their nest, protective,
but poised and unafraid to take flight.

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Poets And Storytellers United
Writers’ Pantry #62
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poets and storytell

9 thoughts on “Meeting The Pressure”

Hmmm, sounds not unlike some of our shows here (though not specifically on Sundays).

I enjoyed the wordplay in this poem, Ron, especially in the lines:
‘meeting the press and facing the nation—
or at least attempting to face the nation,
despite their indecision
about which face to show’
and the accurate picture of ruffling and preening for the cameras.

So much of what we observe or hear in life is people showing off to gain some kudos or profit. Humankind sadly is a mean and scheming animal.

Cleverly written and painfully true. 😉

Perfect! Bravo! I especially like “But it’s a shameful sham. Nobody has anything to crow about.” What a bunch of peacocks!

Applause from my corner for this very clever piece, Ron….and for the truths so cleverly portraying the antiquated windbags we see on the news.

Doves, hawks, a crow—I love your avian metaphors for politicians and their ilk!

Delicious (and very timely) wordplay, Ron.. I’m quite taken by this bit, in particular: “But it’s a shameful sham. Nobody /has anything to crow about.”