Doublespeak Poem by Stanley Cooper

Doublespeak

Rating: 5.0


A euphemism is a verbal tool
Masking grief as acceptably cool
This vocal contrivance, succinctly euphemistic
Glosses over facts distressfully realistic

Observe, when a dear one dies
Rather then say it, we belie and deny
To proclaim he's dead is not easy to say
We euphemistically voice, 'He's passed away'

'He's met his maker', 'He's walked the plank'
Confronting his death is too hurtfully frank
'He's at peace now', or 'at journey's end'
For mourners, less painful to comprehend

Politicians, whizzes at double-speak
Euphemistically cheer us when things appear bleak
'Collateral Damage' a phrase they employ
Describes a bomb killing an innocent boy

The loss of life is more easily faced
When the reality of death, these words have erased
The truth and the facts, are bent out of shape
Attempting euphemistically from grief to escape

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
G. Murdock 12 December 2005

Well said and cleverly rhymed. This topic reminds me of George Carlin but George didn't say this in a lyrical frame. Good schemes and good command of a difficult form.

0 0 Reply
READ THIS POEM IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Close
Error Success