He’s still going strong even now. And while so many of his pieces offer brilliantly scathing satire of the manipulative agendas at play in the world landscape, some of my favourite pieces have been those that offer a vision of hope amidst the darkness. For my poems this week, I’ve picked three of those pieces that have resonated profoundly with me and used each of them as the inspiration for a poem.
He has plenty of other pieces that I could have easily picked, so if there are any poets reading this who fancy their hand at doing the same, I’d love to see the results in the comments below.
Without further ado, here are the ones I have chosen.
The People You Love
Now we're old and grey from awakening, Nodding at the pyre of the old world, Partly reminiscent of how it twirled When deep shadows kept our eyes from seeing. Despite all we did to share our glad grace, How many scorned our attempt to find truth! Our pilgrim souls who remembered our youth Reminded us to never lose this place. The woodburner splutters. We don't lose sight When stomachs of others flutter with dread. Planting our flag on the mountain instead, For love, we won't give up our starry night.
Mama
You messed with the wrong mama bear. Thought you would make a rug? You dare! You messed with the wrong mama bear. You cannot shackle paws and claws Needed for her little one's care. You messed with the wrong mama bear. You thought you could run this circus? The joke's on you; you have summoned A mother's brunt you cannot bare. You messed with the wrong mama bear.
Changing Channels
He always found the thing peculiar; The ancient portal-box of rust, shattered. Evil intentions, it used to transmit, And demons would made their nightmares come real. Mother would speak of ringwraiths narrating, Their chants unlocking Solomon's Seal. The Hell-envision, she'd always call it. Fake heroes with kerosene gaslighting Helped tortured spirits project out their doom, Encouraging everyone to submit. For the true angels who lit up the gloom, How must it have sounded, all the wailing? Distracted by an insect at his ear, Fearless, he watches a chirping bird.
Thank you Bob for your artistic service to humanity, and thank you, dear reader, for making time to be with these pieces. If they resonated with you, please consider sharing them with someone else who may benefit from reading them.
With gratitude,
Tom
Years ago I saw a movie and in the movie television was just invented and this girl says" no they can never lie to us, cos we can see it all on the tv"
Beautiful poetry with a thanks to Bob
Bob Moran was and continues to be a courageous and compassionate voice for Humanity. Thanks for your 'poetic tributes' Tom, resonant and inspiring, and a reminder for us to stay the course, resist the tyranny, and keep alive our deep curiosity, compassion, andto live in choice (rather than in compliance and under their controls); and to do so with the courage of our true humanity.
Allow me to share one of many poems I also took to writing during those dark and crazy times of the pandemania - a call to Courage! (While not showcasing any specific Bob cartoon, the poem invites us to embrace the inspiring thread of truth-speaking, resilience, resistance and hope that fill all of them.
Courage
I just want to encourage you,
To keep pressing on and to thrive,
Let the rising volatility not subdue,
Sit in the fire, this is your life!
The crucible’s heat can quickly unsettle,
Leave you feeling so utterly dismayed,
But, draw from your reservoirs of mettle,
Drink deeply! Refuse to be swayed!
When buffeted and tempted to flee,
Dare to step into the fiery arena,
Keep lifting up your anxious eyes so you see,
The darkened sky too carries Spirit’s corona!
In the vulnerability of this ambiguous time, awaken!
Through each assault and boisterous barrage,
Take comfort! Even when you feel forsaken!
Stay the course! Soak in the courage!
© Roger Arendse 20201029