Monday 28 July 2014

Hot World



It's so hot today, and 
with no sign of stopping: 
the corn in the fields 
has taken to popping. 
The buttercup’s butter 
has melted away. 
Sunflowers are shaking 
their heads in dismay. 
The birds and the bees 
have abandoned the place. 
Cats and dogs
can’t be bothered,
to take up the chase. 
The chickens have started 
to lay boiled eggs. 
Even tables and chairs 
teeter
on their last legs. 
The traffic policeman 
is stuck to the road. 
The trickle of sands through
the hour-glass: slowed.
The forecast predictions,
are lies upon lies

. . . as heat seeking missiles – take to the skies.

note:  Headlines on Heat Seeking Missiles:
  
July 24, 2014:  Israeli planes vulnerable to missiles that downed MH17: Hezbollah, Syria have missiles like those that hit Malaysian plane; Israeli expert warns any aircraft can be hit. 

July 17, 2014:   Malaysian Plane Destroyed By Heat-Seeking Missile With All 295 Passengers Dead. 

June 26, 2012:  Turkish Jet Was Downed By Heat-Seeking Missile.

September 7, 2011:  Heat-Seeking Missiles Are Missing From Libyan Arms Stockpile:  20,000 Missiles have Disappeared in Libya 

photo:  Hot Today - W. Bourke 

© 2014 Wendy Bourke

7 comments:

  1. Wendy, what a fabulous poem! And it's exactly how I'm feeling today, it was 102!! Thank you for the refreshing poem of wit and fun.:-)

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  2. 20,000 missiles....ugh...that is disturbing...and now, what...

    was nice and over cast here today...i was on hte porch most of the morning...

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sara and Brian. I started this poem in the spirit of the old 1950’s/60’s running joke (often seen on late night talk shows): “It’s so hot today” – to which the audience (or straight man) replies “How hot is it” and the reply is some take-off on crazy hot as in: “It’s so hot, I bought a loaf of bread at the store and by the time I got home, it was toast.”

      But, as I wrote, in the hottest predicted summer ever recorded (and I have to believe that is, at least in part, due to climate change) and in light of some of the horrendous news over the past couple of weeks. I found myself veering in the direction of black humor. These times we live in - sure makes you long for those old Jack Paar/Johnny Carson days. Sigh.

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  3. The war practitioners are always steps ahead. Whatever being used now are common place with those in the business a long time ago. It is just that it is now being made into practical use It is a pity. Great write Wendy!

    Hank

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  4. the last line is a reminder where we're actually living...but the chicken tale made me smile....

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  5. And despite the heat the missiles still manage to find a target.. Loved the humor till that last line... When the laughter got stuck

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  6. I was going to say, How charming, until…I got to your last line. Wow, you really know how to surprise us. A strong piece!

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