Written for: dVerse Poets Pub – “Stock Phrases” (posted by Lillian)
Once upon a time . . .
“. . . that phrase begins many a tale. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the phrase has been used in some form since 1380 in storytelling in the English language. It’s opened oral narratives since 1600.
So – here’s what I’m asking for today. Let’s use a bit of poetic license with that phrase. For today’s Poetics, every poem should begin like this:
Once upon a _________ (you fill in the blank with any word except “time”) So a poem starting with Once upon a time would NOT fit the prompt! BUT, poems starting like this, for example, do fit the prompt:”
Once upon a lily pad
Once upon a glimmer
Once upon a noodle
Once upon a midnight
So there was this country
of power and wealth galore,
who accepted all who came
to its shore. Now, this country
hides under an ebony cloak
of lies, deceit greed. Those
denied entrance, those
making a pittance, and those
who are hungry and homeless,
live under a golden boot, worn
by a leader whose concerns
are all for himself and his buddies.
This leader proclaimed
a right to divide, and then
he conquered.
Once upon a country, citizens
had to sort out fact from fiction.
They hoped to survive, and once
again, unite.
Once upon a country – so sad all this turmoil going on.
Once upon a president – was looked up to as a role model – sadly this model is missing some pieces.
LikeLike
Most of them!
LikeLike
A sad story for sure… In time it will change.
LikeLike
Hope so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen to that.
LikeLike
Thanks, Maggie.
LikeLike
Yes, indeed
LikeLike
Thanks, VJ!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I prefer my horror stories to be fantasy. Still, you have your finger on the pulse of this dark reality.
LikeLike
I wish the last two years were just a nightmare.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You and me both. 😦
LikeLike
like how you offer a solution at the end, that country will find its way again, it has good people
LikeLike
I am hoping. Thanks, Gina.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well……..the prompt asked for the poems to begin with Once upon a…..
That said, you’ve hit on a timely topic here. Would that this country’s Once Upon A can somehow end with that other stock phrase, “happily ever after.” Hoping the midterm elections will begin the turnaround!
LikeLike
I would love to see that “happily ever after” come to pass.
LikeLike
if omly
> WordPress.com
LikeLike
If is a large word.
LikeLike
This is great in that you’ve combined a political angle with a true message.
LikeLike
Thanks, Vivian!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
Oh may the country become one again… to build the land on lies will never work.
LikeLike
And it isn’t!
LikeLike
Let us hope this once upon a country comes to its senses and votes for return of dignity and integrity to leadership.
LikeLike
Yes, where have “senses” gone?
LikeLike
I like how you described this: “This leader proclaimed
a right to divide, and then
he conquered.”
LikeLike
Thanks, Frank. That is my favorite part of this poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person