“Platitudes”

On By Mike U.In Poetry

“Platitudes”
(c) 2024 by Michael L. Utley

the yoke of burdensome veracity
does not comport with those whose vapid souls
would congregate toward lies like moths to flame
and frenzy-feed on poison from the troughs
of those who wish to lead all men astray

thus in the end your heaven’s impotence
could not redeem this unabating hell
and all your pithless ersatz platitudes
lay shattered in inconsequential heaps
the dross of feckless minds and futile means

and though you crow
This truth I know!
as you insist
you ken the gist
of edicts straight
from heaven’s gate
your craven heart
betrays you

this truth I know—that there are those who scheme
to dominate the spineless weak of mind
whose brackish hearts and savage mien await
the opportunity to unleash hate
and spread destruction in their savior’s name

and wear upon their heads their savior’s creed
its name emblazoned red upon their breasts
and armed with flag and gun and profaned cross
prepare to soon fulfill the prophecies
of bloodlust and democracy’s demise

and you proclaim
your savior’s name
on bended knee
and worship he
whose rancid heart
tears souls apart
and vow to kill
to please him

the dove of peace and purity is dead
its carcass desecrated by the mob
its once-white plumage dripping crimson now
as boots stamp restlessly and voices hush
your vulgar gilded calf about to speak

and all the lies of men pour forth as smoke
and all eyes blinded, all hearts burned to ash
and all ears hear the trumpet of the spawn
and all minds bound as one, their task at hand
it’s time to make this country great again

and you shall tread
among the dead
with weapons raised
your savior praised
a new world birthed
now hell on earth
and from above
heaven weeps

the monster you’ve created has no name
its voice the sound of screams and champing teeth
its appetite for wrath insatiable
and as it turns its gaze on you it grins
and now perhaps at last you know the truth

thus in the end your heaven’s impotence
cannot redeem this unrelenting hell
and puerile platitudes cannot assuage
the damnation you’ve brought upon yourself
go forth in horror, your new world awaits

39 thoughts on ““Platitudes””

  1. My Dearest Friend, I as you know am a woman of great faith but I must applaud your poem as I understand the message clearly. I know people stay away from politics and religion a lot within the net for many reasons. I am the first to say, I don’t judge anyone or their religion as we all have a right to practice our religion in the USA. Just has we have the right to carry arms. Mike you have written a powerful piece about something Scott and I talk often about. How many who call themselves Christians turn so many people off about the whole idea of God. How can people who believe in the bible or in God want guns to be as easy as 1, 2, 3, to buy. Guns that kill so many innocent people. Where have the minds of people gone. 

    These lines are not only brilliant writing but so true: 

    “this truth I know—that there are those who scheme
    to dominate the spineless weak of mind
    whose brackish hearts and savage mien await
    the opportunity to unleash hate
    and spread destruction in their savior’s name”

    Slave owners used a few verses taken out of context to beat, whip, bludgeon, hobble, and put iron cages on men that were so heavy the pain that they must have lived in every day is something I can barely imagine. I have had a neck injury that was quite severe and my neck hurts every day, and I am not wearing an iron cage. These were all innocent human beings. White supremacist also used this same rhetoric in order to self-justify the lynching and horror of encouraging their children to take up the cause as they insisted the children watch such attachs on innocent, men, women and children. 

    Religion has also been used to keep women in their place in the workplace for more years then most men can imagine. So yes, religion has been used by so many to promote horrifying agendas and the fact that we are seeing that today in ways that frighten the very core of my being. 

    So ends my rant – I just have to let you know that your tasteful and truthful piece resonates with both my husband and I and we feel the same way. You are making a point which we too are in agreement with, which we feel has nothing to do with the God that we have total faith in but God was pure love and would not want anything to do with what is happening in our world today. As always your work speaks to both of us. Blessings and love to you our friend. Joni and Scott              

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    1. Thank you so much for understanding my intent with this poem Joni. I’m like you: let folks follow the spiritual paths they desire. This poem, rather, is an indictment of white Christian Nationalism which isn’t a religious movement but a political movement, and whose aim is to install a dictatorial theocracy under one national religion. This ideology runs counter to Biblical teachings and is extremely dangerous, as you can guess (a look throughout history’s theocracies shows brutality, torture and murder, all in the name of someone’s god). So, my intent was to try to point out that white Christian Nationalism has nothing to do with God or religion, but rather the craven hearts of those who lust for power and control.

      I debated whether to post this since I never want my blog to become mired in politics, but I simply couldn’t stay quiet anymore about the existential danger this decidedly ungodly movement poses for our democracy. I tried to write it in such a way as to make it obvious who I was talking about so those who have legitimate faith would understand I wasn’t attacking them. I’m glad you understood the meaning behind this piece. It’s not meant to offend those with pure hearts and honest faith.

      Anyway, thanks for your always kind and thoughtful insights, my friend. It’s a scary time in our country and world right now, and I never thought I’d live to see the day when my country teeters on the brink of authoritarianism. 

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      1. I found the message to be crystal clear. Besides anyone who knows you through your poetry knows you are not judging anyone’s religion. This is a very dangerous part of history we are living in and I applaud you for writing this piece. I hope it gets picked up by Gobblers or any of the other great masticadores sites! Big hugs and much love my friend. ❤️

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      2. I would occasionally write for certain institutions. I got turned off when I wrote a piece about the rise of Christian Nationalism, and they suddenly didn’t appreciate my writing anymore 😂. A lot of churches hide some very “dodgy” agendas behind the cross.

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      1. Thank you kindly, Scott. I’m so glad you and Joni understood my intent with this piece. I appreciate your support, my friend. Truly grateful for your presence here. 😊

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  2. “… and all your pithless ersatz platitudes…” very well put, Mike. I feel you maintained your theme and very much nourished the variety that displayed your strengths in communication through prose towards these disarmingly dystopian times. When hope is tiresome within the world, and every side seems so angry about it, perhaps there is a lack of diplomacy for old strides while new tides keep a’ coming. Everyone’s left on their toes with little to no direction, it can be hard to maintain a life nor society without hope to lead the best of what could be. It comes to make me feel like some sort of nuance in expansion of the reprise of “Red Hats” I had read some months ago. I think both contain the same aggressive exasperation that can accompany sentiments of war as they plague. People are allowed to be fed up and angry, even when old wars that started the collective conscious alert and that one isn’t wrapped up yet while new wars have caught only subtle attention; I suppose time passing, can add to the conjecture of headline stress, starvation of soothing nourishment, fatigue, and mental exhaustion when there’s already so much space taken in one’s mind and nerves – how do you go about making more space when it seems only tyranny by loose grip or chokehold is in the hands of power. Much to think about, only left to hear another perilous notification chime from whichever front the news source is talking about, with more details, that make me feel so limited in my capability while I toil elsewhere and negate the fact that I feel guilty on my own hopeful ventures while another community in the world is suffering at the hands of war. Heavy stuff, even for the darker side of the coin.

    I enjoy following along with your writing. There is no doubt in my mind to the authenticity and how genuine you are with your readers. It’s very gracious you are able to express these tough thoughts and notions, really as they should be. Some writer needs to do it, and you are so adept at the portrayal and aspects of the human condition. I love how shapely your formatting is. The change that amplified this back-and-forth in flow amongst the stanzas, I really enjoyed. Structured almost like a song. It’s always exciting to see what’s new you’ve been working on, Mike. I’ve really found intrigue in your pieces as of late, and they are much more unique than they are similar to each other. Call it a new era. Even if most of the world seems so dismal, I find a deep comfort in reading your works almost like picking up an evening-after-dinner-book. You’re so very inspired and truly original, my friend. A creative and artist, at heart. Can’t wait to see your next work.

    Sam 😄🏵

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    1. Thanks, Sam. Yes, in many ways this is an extension or companion piece to “Red Hats.” I find myself battling intense writer’s block when I have no one to talk to about this sort of thing–no wife or girlfriend, no kids or friends–and it just accumulates in my head until I can’t write anything at all. ”Red Hats” came about the same way as I was struggling to keep my head above the water amid all the nastiness and existential danger of RW extremism and how it has an incredibly direct affect on my own life. I prefer to keep my blog free of politics/religion because I value my space here as a haven for peace and calm, not as a battlefield. However, the senryu upon which this poem is based sort of demanded a strong statement.

      I, too, became aware of the song-like structure while writing this one–almost like verses and choruses. Just trying to mix things up a bit and add a little dynamism to the rigidness of the rest of the piece. 

      Thanks for your kind assessment. I think I’ve been more urgently inspired as of late due to having spent the previous eight months mired in writer’s block. The “haiku trick” I’ve been using has really made a difference, and I’m actually excited to see what happens next. 

      I appreciate you, Sam, and your keen writer’s mind and deftness with words. Thanks again for your warm appraisal, and thanks for dropping by to say hello. 😊

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      1. Oh hey, Mike. It feels good knowing that there was some sort of extension and companionship to “Red Hats.” As you know, I’m a big fan of Poe. Your little nuance in “This truth I know!” (imagine in italics for continuity’s sakes). I thought you brought a nice sentiment of dear poets from the 1800s. I think you achieved definite dynamism. Each thinner stanza was more like boisterous crescendos, it added a nice touch of wickedness to expressing blasphemous times. It proved energetic, but your shifts “in tune” with the verses and chorus, was really well done. It kept sections’ energy, sometimes pulling back or nourishing a bit of ante into the chaos. Nice job. 😎
        I’d love to hear about the senryu that inspired the poem and your “haiku trick,”😊 Appreciate you too, Mike.

        Sam🪻🌓

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    2. Thank you kindly, Sam. I have a fondness for archaic poetry, you could say, and “This truth I know!” had such a strident feel to it, a misbegotten urgency (as spoken by one of the indoctrinated drones) that really brought to mind some people I know who have been beguiled by this current miasma of lies. 

      Here’s the senryu that inspired this piece:

      (#188)

      in the end
      my heaven could not redeem
      your hell

      This one began headed in one direction, then abruptly changed course and I ended up straying from the original intent of the senryu. After that, I was along for the ride, although I knew at that point what I wanted to say. The senryu was a personal one concerning a past relationship, where all my efforts to help my beloved failed as she slowly and inexorably drifted into darkness. So, it was a bit of a surprise where this one ended up, but I needed to say what’s in this piece anyway, so it all worked out. 

      So, I’ll continue milking my “haiku trick” for as long as I can. I wish I’d have thought of it sooner. Those tiny verses are little batteries with enough distilled charge to jump-start an entirely new full-length poem. 

      Thanks for the kindness, Sam. I appreciate you. 😊

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      1. Very nice, Mike. I always think the best pieces usually turn out much differently than intended, but always provide promising results. Glad your haiku trick is working. I went on a binge of haikus a few months past, and haven’t written any haikus for some time. Lots of fantasy-creation myths and limericks, even a fable last night. Though the haikus have been availing me. I’ll get back to it soon enough.

        I’ll leave you with one of my dolphining examples for your senryu.
        “My Redeemer” by Leonard Cohen from “Book of Longing” is one of my favorite poems ever.
        The woes and concerns of past relationships can be tough, and often emulated in writing. If I had to choose instead of write, I’d go with this poem as well as the whole book to circumnavigate that whole course that can come with relationships. Cohen may not be so archaic, but truly treasured for me amongst the likes of Poe and so on; I turn on the records before I break out his book most of the time, anyways.

        Sam 😊

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      2. Oh! Another dolphining example, Mike.

        Perhaps, under a different context but
        “Let Her Go Into The Darkness” by Jonathan Richman (solo album, but yes, the Modern Lovers (perhaps engage in searching for the lyrics and perhaps guitar tab for emphasis)
        Great, song. I must admit I delight(ed) in this song much when I turn my life into somewhere between Dante’s descent and a Judd Apatow movie. Everyone must dabble a bit in their own darkness, just to appreciate the times in the light a lil more. Duality, karmic debt, predestined-will, whatevaaa – great song!

        -sam😎

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    3. I really liked the Cohen poem. Thanks for the heads-up. And I didn’t recognize the song title (“Let Her Go into the Darkness”)–couldn’t listen to it, of course–but when I read the lyrics I immediately remembered it from There’s Something About Mary (I love that movie). Those little guitar/vocal interludes were so quirky and fun. 😀

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      1. Oooh Ben Stiller movies definitely usually have some pretty ultimate soundtracking instilled into them. This one counts, for sure. Great movie too.

        Fun Fact: My favorite soundtrack for any movie ever is “Donnie Darko.” Sublime and niche and masterful thematic sound production for a new wave bass junkie goth queen punk that showed up much too fashionably late to the game 🩶☠😎

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    1. Kindest thanks, Michele. I’m truly honored that you found this one to be worthy of your poetry folder. Seriously, it’s such a nice gesture on your part, and I can’t even tell you how much it means to me. Thanks for being here, my friend. You’re always welcome. 😊

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  6. Mikey… The rebel in me applauds you. We are treading in very dangerous territory. This is not a new phenomenon. But it is gaining momentum, riding a wave of dissent and dissatisfaction. Masquerading with the banner of the cross, and subverting the message of Christ.
    As you said…when they turn their eyes on you… But by then it would be too late.
    We have seen what theocracies look like. Some we consider friends, and some we consider sworn enemies. They all manifest the same authoritarian policies.
    Well written. Your strength and command of language is on full display for all to see. I think you tied the line, delicately, yet firmly stating the position of a concern soul.
    When the mob arrives, it’s the poets and the artists they get rid of first. We who are about to die, salute you my friend. 💪💪💪

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    1. Thanks, man. I generally don’t delve into politics/religion on my blog because I want my blog to be my safe place, a haven not only for me but for those who visit as well. But since I’ve begun blogging, I’ve noticed that my most intense periods of writer’s block occur when I’m overwhelmed by the existential dread of rancid extreme-right politics. I have no friends or family, no wife or girlfriend, no kids, no one to talk to, and this stuff builds up in my head until it solidifies into a wall that blocks any and all creativity. I’ve discussed this at length with my counselor. The only way to deal with it for me is to write about it and risk the irrational wrath of people who have been indoctrinated into those fringe beliefs via propaganda, lies and conspiracy theories. If I can write about this, it frees my mind and allows my soul to breathe again, and hopefully it will reach people, too.

      I fully expected to receive some nasty responses with this post. And who know? I might at that. But truth matters, even though a large contingent of Americans think otherwise.

      I suppose I’m a bit of a rebel at heart. Years ago, I took the Myers-Briggs personality survey (I’m INFP) and one thing it noted was that I was prone to embrace the counter-culture, which at the time seemed silly to me. I thought I was just some random, ordinary dude. But now I see the veracity of that statement and how I do, in fact, embrace the counter-culture, stand up for marginalized groups, rail against RW extremism, do my best every day contribute in whatever way possible to further the greater good for all people, not those rolling in $ billions. So, call me a rebel and I’ll gladly take up the mantle.

      And you’re right: we’ll be the first to go when the tide rolls in. It’s always been that way; it’s inevitable. Silence those who speak out against tyranny and hate (just ask Alexei Navalny). We have voices; we must use them if we can. I hope for the best, but I’m expecting the worst, my friend…

      Anyway, thanks for your kind words, Nigel. I really appreciate your support. And thanks for understanding my intent with this piece. There are good folks with honest, sincere faith, and I hope those folks don’t succumb to this monster.  

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      1. Oh yeah Mikey..I fully get you bro. The rebel in me struggles with these things till I my darkens my mood. I rebel in subtle ways though. Like you, I live alone, no wife nor kids, and nothing in my space but my writing. So when the existential irritations come, I blog about it. I write stories like Eliza the that challenges a few quietly held bigotries. It’s my venting process. I’m not as eloquent as you..and sometimes, some people may get a right proper cuss out as we say back home. But I try my best to vent in my writing. It safer for everyone that way 😂.
        I just want people to appreciate the freedom that they have in this country. I guess they won’t miss it till it’s taken away. 🥺

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much, Lauren. You know me–I’ve got to get down to the real nitty-gritty now and then. This stuff builds up and there’s no other outlet for me than to try to make sense of it in verse. I hesitated so long with my cursor over the Publish button, not really sure if I should post this one, but I’m glad I did. I don’t think it will actually do any good in the grand scheme of things because the people who need to read it will never see it, but it helped me to get it out of my system.

      Your ongoing support is so appreciated, my friend. Thank you so much for being here. 😊

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    1. Thanks so much. It’s terrifying, to be honest. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I’d live to see the day when something like this would occur. Our 248-year experiment in democracy could very well come to an end in November, and it wouldn’t just be the US that would suffer, but the entire world. To say it’s currently a five-alarm fire is no exaggeration, unfortunately. 

      I appreciate you and your constant support so much, my friend. Thank you for always being here. 😊

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    1. Thanks so much, Layla. This one’s a bit controversial (or perhaps a LOT, depending on which color of hat one wears) but I felt like it needed to be said. It’s a fraught moment we’ve found ourselves in, and the uncertainty is both palpable and frightening. Thanks as always for your thoughtful insights and kind words. I’m grateful for your presence here in this community, my friend. 😊

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    1. Thanks, Cindy. My cursor hovered above the Publish button for so long with this one. I was unsure if it would be received in the same spirit in which it was written, and I was bracing myself for some nasty comments. I’m so glad so many people understand my intent here. Thanks a bunch for your tireless support and for standing up for truth, my friend. I appreciate you! 😊

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  11. Mike, what powerful writing, strongly crafted! I applaud the longer verses and then the short refrains, like a song.

    You bravely speak with sad and frightening truthfulness and honesty of our country right now.

    The hatred and divisiveness, the insensitivity and bullying. Claims of religion, but no correlating actions; no love, no kindness, no compassion, no faithfulness.

    Thank you, my friend, for taking a stand that so many agree with and commend!

    Appreciate you sharing your gift and insight!

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    1. Thanks so much, Peggy. I was worried about posting this one for a couple of reasons. I didn’t want to offend those who actually live their faith daily, and I was concerned that I’d receive some hateful responses. It’s a thin line to walk but I felt I needed to say something or my head would explode. We have less than eight months to figure this out, and if we don’t, our country as we know it comes to an end. It’s terrifying. 

      Thank you for understanding my intent with this piece. There are good folks in this country who stand for what’s right, and then there are those who’ve been indoctrinated into a cult of hatred and authoritarianism. I pray compassion and truth prevail in November.

      As always I appreciate you and your constant support. Thanks for being here, my friend. Thanks for caring and living your faith. 😊

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