Cruel Society
Poetry Showcase
May 14
Prefatory Remarks
Elision
⠀ The three instances of common elision in this poem are essentially identical being for never and ever. These were initially elided to n’er and e’er. However, being the only three, they appeared rather strange when met in the verses. The reason for this elision was to keep with meter without lengthening the verses.
Stanza 1, Verse 2 (never for n’er)
Stanza 9, Verse 1 (ever for e’er)
Stanza 10, Verse 1 (never for n’er)
⠀ Reflecting on the reason for elision, I decided to replace the elided forms with their non-elided forms as the elided forms were distracting (to a point) and unnecessary. Those recognizing the meter as iambic pentameter would soon realize how to say these words without violating the meter. (See examples after the poem.)
Spelling
⠀ The misspelling of Society to Societay is purposeful. The poem is written in the form of rime royal, and the misspelling was done not only to keep the rime but also to add an element of smugness to the personification of Society.
Stanza 3, Verse 4 (Societay)
Slant Rimes
⠀ Slant rimes have been used in stanzas six and nine being: one, spun, hung and man, understand, ran respectively. Although they may on occasions, deviate from the expected rime, they do create a minor variation which can be welcome.
Cruel Society
Lo, Night’s refrain! Come repetition? Nay—
⠀ The darkness comes, its hand placed never the same.
Its pat on shoulder ushers off the day,
⠀ In sense— Congratulations on the game!
⠀ But recognition— Well, what’s in a name?
In truth it doesn’t matter any more—
For sick or healthy, wealthy or the poor!
Obscurities that manifest at night,
⠀ Create confusion in a bitter mind—
Inclined to bitterness? Somewhat delight!
⠀ Perhaps unfettered— Everyone I find
⠀ From time to time, they’re always in a bind—
Concerned with what Society will think
As reputation teeters on the brink.
When things seem comfortable— deceived we are—
⠀ Complacency has run its wicked way,
And crippled now, one cannot run too far,
⠀ For she will catch you— Cruel Societay.
⠀ Regardless what it is or what they say,
It matters not, since Truth has long since died,
And now it’s left to others— How they lied!
To wonder why? For what it’s really worth—
⠀ I say what is the point? They know not why.
Yet editors sit round, increasing girth,
⠀ And wave it on with passions of a sigh.
⠀ But Truth it seems can only sneak on by
Lest be discovered by the seething herd.
(Now move on quickly friend— and not a word.)
How Understanding flees the bloodied scene,
⠀ And flights of Fancy speak in place for thee—
These calculated thoughts now craft my mien,
⠀ And take me back to where I loathe to be!
⠀ Yet oh, the blind! Through my eyes they shan’t see,
Nor will they ever hear all that I know—
The touch of Silence! Let my memory go!
But what have I of Past’s resurgence gained?
⠀ Of fact and fiction? Both meld into one—
The hypocrites revolt— The cursed and blamed
⠀ Ignore the many rumors idly spun.
⠀ “See those gallows? That’s where Truth was hung!
The smell of blood, and all came out to see,
Yet none would lift a hand.” cried Memory.
I nodded in acknowledgment and thought—
⠀ Does anything I do, a difference make?
Predestination? People got me caught.
⠀ Just maybe there’s a little give and take.
⠀ Ah, then I change my mind— "For Jesus’ sake!"—
The battle-cry of all forgotten souls,
Who shovel shit to fill forgotten holes.
The sanguine sight of memory’s failing chant,
⠀ A blurrèd vision of a pantomime.
To trap inside, or freedom freely grant,
⠀ And listen to the gory church bells chime.
⠀ Though all’s a fascination given time,
The cast of players fan the blazing stage—
Collapse incensed, and curse this poet’s rage.
How can it be that truth could ever prevail,
⠀ When fools dictate the role of common man?
For thirty silver pieces, Truth’s for sale,
⠀ And only those who gamble understand.
⠀ Defend against them now! For if we ran
Like timid sheep and bleat our heart’s decree—
Once more ’tis only slaughter— You and me.
Our cursèd, sinful nature never repents.
⠀ We never learn— repeat ills many-fold—
At times, ’tis true, we have such good intents,
⠀ But fail, and many times, truth’s never told.
⠀ Soon to our detriment, left in the cold
And heartless world— this cruel society,
But we together stand, yes— You and me.
Scansion of Elided and Non-Elided Verses
Stanza 1, Verse 2
⠀The darkness comes, its hand placed n'er the same.
Thĕ dārk | nĕss cōmes | ĭts hānd | plăced n’ēr | thĕ sāme
⠀ This is what we may call strict iambic pentameter albeit some promotion of the stresses in the second and fourth foot.
⠀
Thĕ dārk | nĕss cōmes | ĭts hānd | plăced nēvēr | thĕ sāme
⠀ Notice the presence of the bacchic foot (fourth foot). This foot is clearly not an anapest because of the required heavier stress on the first syllable of never (nev-er). One may be tempted to opt for the amphibrach, but the is clearly less stressed than the -er of never. As a result, there is a minor promotion of stress on -er at the end of the fourth foot.
⠀ We could say that never is spoken in the same period of time that we would say n’er. Meaning the two shorter emphases in never correspond to the single emphasis of longer sounding n’er. Regardless, the iambic rhythm is not violated, therefore there is no reason to use elision.
Stanza 9, Verse 1 and Stanza 10, Verse 1
⠀ Rather than reproduce the same argument, it can be seen that the bacchic appears in the same position of both verses, and for the same reasons.
⠀
Hŏw cān | ĭt bē | thăt trūth | co͝uld ēvēr | prĕvāil
Our cursèd, sinful nature never repents.
Oŭr cūr | sè̆d sīn | fŭl nā | tŭre nēvēr | rĕpēnts