Note: You can change font size, font face, and turn on dark mode by clicking the "A" icon tab in the Story Info Box.
You can temporarily switch back to a Classic Literotica® experience during our ongoing public Beta testing. Please consider leaving feedback on issues you experience or suggest improvements.
Click hereThey run through the town
Rounding up people
Women with loads on their heads
Kids loitering in the streets
Men going to the fields
head them into the stadium
sun beating down on concrete bleachers
Snap at the slower ones
with belts And sticks
To the Peace Corps volunteers
Who ask why
They say
It’s a required orientation about the democratic obligation
To vote
They run though the town
Carrying armfuls of t-shirts and pagnes
Tied properly women can make the candidate dance
With their ass cheeks
They hand out bags of rice
And sometimes cash
Now remember
They say
How to vote
They run through the camp
With nail clippers and Vaseline
Wash everyone’s hands clean
And coat them with oil
So the gentiane violet will not stick
And they can register twice
The refugees never had such clean hands
They run through the streets
With green banners
Cheering fundamentalist leaders
Democratically elected
Embassy staff try to spin it
In cables
As a victory of sort
They whisper in hallways
And in blogs
How did you vote?
- COMMENTS
Tsothaover 10 years agoThis is a good description of what happens whenever democracy is forced top-down, instead of blooming bottom-up. No bigotry whatsoever in acknowledging the truth. Democracy isn't some magic dust that you can sprinkle on a country to make everything better. Sometimes it is just a tool to give authenticity to a government, while people at large remain enslaved to their own lack of unity and organization.
WillowedCabinalmost 13 years agois such a Catch-22. Speaking of which, was 'gentiane violet' a reference to Heller? Or maybe, I'm just stating the obvious. Here's another obvious thing: let's not criticize the object, but rather, how it is told. This doesn't actually smack of bigotry to me--however, that could mean I'm a bigot. For what it's worth, I really dig the way this is captured.
lorencinoalmost 13 years agoWell, I must say, I'm pleased we've settled the comment issue. Now on to the poem.
This is not my favorite of your poems because of what is left unsaid. The structure is well managed, and the mood of what is happening is clearly evoked, but I can't help feeling that Western prejudices towards the developing world are reinforced, though I'm sure this is not the poet’s intent. The implication that may be drawn is that elections in the developing world are manipulated by the means described while (though not specifically mentioned) elections in the developed world are characterized by democratic informed decisions. The poem ignores the fact that all elections are manipulated by whatever means are available to the power elites and they are no less manipulated, simply more subtly handled, in the developed world. How can we have democracy when it costs millions to run a campaign?
Though an effective piece of writing in every other way, this one aspect spoils my enjoyment.
twelveoonealmost 13 years agoI've noticed, glad to see you get off your dead ass. You certainly don't seem like a shy one. Here's a 5. (Since I didn't vote)
BTW I was referring to the only comments I had seen, which were you defending. Now that I've seen a few on others, I'm off your case. Keep up the good work.
Now, the comment. I suppose this sort of thing has to be said, over and over again. It's too bad. It's the history of elections. Either sham or scam. As is, it looks like bloggotry, but it goes exactly where I expected, but it does have difference from the standard around here.
Desejoalmost 13 years agoAuthorI don't comment on my own poetry. I have one user id - this one, if that's what you are accusing me of. I do not vote or comment using anon. I comment and Vote on other poems, although I do not ever feel compelled to reveal what my vote is, and sometimes send comments privately. I'm weeaaallly weeaaallly sorry if that offends you and makes me a poor poet in your eyes, but tough shit.
