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This Poem was Submitted By: Mell W. Morris On Date: 2005-06-11 15:34:35 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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Depending on What Is Is

He likes a curvaceous woman, no stick figures like models. He places women in a category with peach cobbler: crusty on the outside, a sweet filling. "Okay, Senator," he says, seeing the girl under his desk, checking her lipstick. His voice never changes the entire time. "Well, Senator, I believe we'll come together on the issue," laughing at his pun as he hangs up the phone and slips a hundred- dollar bill in the girl's pocket. He has no further need for the aging senator and should focus on his plans as the end of his tenure nears. He has options but what he wants is power. No, not power... respect. No phony backslapping, no air- kisses with women and no gratis speeches. He wants respect in the manner Aretha demanded and then commanded. All he has to do is flash that come-back grin and...remember the definitions of small words.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Duane J Jackson On Date: 2005-07-03 06:48:29
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.97778
Hi Mell, Corruption in high places. This is why the world will never advance to the levels envisioned by many of the great leaders of the past, this is the very reason that a million people must go to bed hungry, that hundreds of people have their homes blown away by man spurned fire....I feel very strongly on this issue and you have taken your readers to the very heart of it all...for this is where the problems originate. And while it may not be specific to the particular reference in your poem, it is in general that when our leaders turn their faces towards the direction of materialistic gratification that the more important issues dogging our world are buried in the sands of time. The opening paragraph is in itself a shocker to the very purpose of electing someone to the high offices of serving a people. There seems to be more of an interest or inclination to the shapeliness of women rather than finding a means of preventing a future war. This first verse is a very strong opening in defining the traits that elected representatives embody. Isn't it ironical that election speeches remarkably conceal all this in ther seas of promises to good and justice. His exploits follow in the verses to come. isn't this corruption within corruption....exploiting women who are obviously carried away with power. It is only apt that you brings all this to us while he is discussing business over the phone. it contrasts well with the misadventure that transpired under his desk. I love 'respect' by Aretha Franklin....one of my all time favorite numbers. But you are right when you add that Aretha demanded it for sure and then commanded it unlike our politician here who would definitely have the arduous task of demanding any with this kind of hypocrisy at the core of his heart. Beautiful ending to a very relevant piece. Unfortunately it is all very real and this is exactly what keeps the world from moving beyond its selfishness. We don't have very good examples. Excellent job, Mell. Hope all is well with you. Take care, Duane.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Dellena Rovito On Date: 2005-06-27 18:32:26
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.76923
Hi Mell, Well hell, he's a poop and a half! I wish he had a go back where you come from smile. Instead of come back. This fellow makes me think of our presidents. Bill for one. Although he's a wee bit better than Bush. Men and their needs be damn. Let a woman do the same and we know the word she's called. I like everything you write, every thought you thunk! I'm great with small words too...... I'm not sure of the Senator you speak of. I can think of a few.[more than a few actually!] Ain't politics great? Their schools taught them all the same thing. Whats best for the masses......... Anyway dearest Mell, give them hell as only you can. I could use $100 buck. Naw I'll pass......for now. It's perfect! Stay warm, get better, keep on, A millions lbs. of love......to you. Dellena d

This Poem was Critiqued By: DeniMari Z. On Date: 2005-06-26 08:17:48
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.60000
Dear Mell, This piece drips with sarcasm - and the intent to properly demean the politician as portraying him to be lustful, indignant, and willing to do whatever it takes to get to where he wants to be. At the end, where you say he needs to remember definitions of small words tends to lean towards a final insult on his intelligience. That perhaps his vocabulary lacks, and he can not communicate in language measured to that of someone educated. I loved this poem, it's decriptiveness bold - but not alarming - just enough said that the reader can see the piece unfold - the pun clearly intended - fits in smoothly - and does not take away from the flow of the piece. Very nicely written, I like your way of thinking - Sincerely, DeniMari

This Poem was Critiqued By: Mandie J Overocker On Date: 2005-06-26 00:20:10
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.42105
Although there is no apparent rhyme scheme or specific meter, this poem flows well and reads like a short story. It is filled with images, some i care not to imagine, but vividly portrayed. I wonder if the title should read..."Depending on What It Is" ? This is a thought provoking piece and one that really made this reader think. Good work. Mandie

This Poem was Critiqued By: Troy D Skroch On Date: 2005-06-22 00:53:56
Critiquer Rating During Critique: Unknown
And I guess it is. You are so bad MellO. I can see a sparkling from my window to the south. I bet it’s the glitter in your eye. LOL! Tongue and cheek to be sure. Pun intended. HEHE! Where to start into this delicious pie. Well, how about the first stanza. No wait, how about the title first. Damn it, can’t make up my mind. PUT DOWN THAT PHONE!! YOU TRYING TO CALL THE CRITIQUE POLICE ON ME? LOL! Busted. Yes, the title then, a fitting place to start. My only comment is that I think you are saying that this really “is”. Ok. I’m with you, wait, just have to look under my desk. Nope, just my dog. And she looks like she’s finishing off a stick of butter that she stole from the table. Damn dog is always taking my food. Did I ever tell you the story about the day I went streaking after my dog and surprised the meter reader woman? LOL!! Same dog. He likes a curvaceous woman, no stick figures like models. He places women in a category with peach cobbler: crusty on the outside, a sweet filling. Your writing is just amazingly good. Ok, now that we got that out of the way for this critique, we can look at how you have fun with the words, or how I have fun with your words. Ha, take it or leave it, you never know what kind of crazy you’re going to run into on the internet. “Curvaceous” is an important word here. I think that some would not see or draw the connection, in that, powerful men or men that deem themselves powerful must have something to control; they need a real woman; something they can take over, brains optional. Turn of the century, early 1900s, skinny women were undesirable and not considered worthy for a real man. Real man defined as one who didn’t eat salads. “Curvaceous” fits the ticket for ego of the dude you describe in your poem. This throw back raw steak eater ain’t looking for a date at the salad bar. Hell, no. And he pays his date. Nice. No strings attached ownership-self managing. He probably gorges himself on prime rib at the Golden Corral. LOL!! "Okay, Senator," he says, seeing the girl under his desk, checking her lipstick. His voice never changes the entire time. "Well, Senator, I believe we'll come together I can’t look at what it happening in the above stanza. I’m much to young for this sort of thing. Ok, one comment. I guess I’m confused as to where they are at in this paid for relationship. I mean, are they just beginning or are they just ending the “session”. Is the girl checking her lipstick because she has finished, or because she wants to look good when he gets off the phone. I went to an escort web site to try to get some answers from the FAQ, but didn’t quite understand the procedure. Too many questions, I know, just a little naive. LOL! on the issue," laughing at his pun as he hangs up the phone and slips a hundred- dollar bill in the girl's pocket. He has no further need for the aging senator Just want to take a second to compliment you on how you use all kinds of puntuation and dialoge and leave me still feeling like I’m reading a poem instead of a story. Everything is so fluid. I will call it the MellO effect from this day forward. and should focus on his plans as the end of his tenure nears. He has options but what he wants is power. No, not power... respect. No phony backslapping, no air- I love the irony here of this goof actually being respected. HEHE! kisses with women and no gratis speeches. He wants respect in the manner Aretha demanded and then commanded. All he has to do is flash that come-back grin and...remember the definitions of small words. This last line is so wonderfully insulting. Another one for the “Line Hall Of Fame”! Again, you leave me with the simultaneous paradox of feeling more and less, as well as wondering what the hell that woman was doing under his desk. LOL!! Totally missed the allusion to “Aretha”, but that’s because it’s late and I want to go to sleep. I also quit watching or reading the news about 8 years ago. And believe it or not I was a Journalism student once upon a breath. LOL!! As they say, different times, different crimes. I better go, I’m starting to sober up, The Baby Poet, T

This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2005-06-15 12:22:46
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.90909
Depending upon whom you speak of this is written very well.......good structure, word flow, images of 'situations' from the flare of your pen.......love his smile too and the grin, can't forget the grin my friend for he always gets to you with it...........so enjoyed the opening stanza with the description of what kind of woman he likes, and hopefully it might help some who are not to...........bring on the ice cream.......you leave nothing to the imagination with the girl under his desk, should he have given her the money though? I'm not sure about that........this stanza reminds me of my previous boss and the many women he had (at the same time of course) there was one in particular who always disappeared under his desk........how can I tell you ask? The offices from beginning to end had large glass windows on the front and side of them to allow for him to see the road..........and the women that walked by of course.....can't recall what this man is presently doing, if I am even thinking of the right one, but in any case this could be any man in politics that choose such a road to take........thanks for posting and sharing with us........as always, a winner.......God Bless, Claire

This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2005-06-14 16:53:14
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.46429
Mell, This was a good read for me. Hmmmmmmmmm, it could only be about Clinton, but then don't alot of politicians fall into the same categroy just never caught or viewed. I think you have really put a finger on the charater and attitude of this man, probably more so than most right down to his reasons for doing as he did. It almost felt as if you knew the man personally, what great insight. Your words are perfect with discription leaving the reader no question as to the character or motives of this individual. Well written with a good flow. Thanks for sharing such insite with us. Lora

This Poem was Critiqued By: Joanne M Uppendahl On Date: 2005-06-11 21:30:57
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Ma chéri: I have just had my glass of champagne, as promised in my reply to your critique. But it is flat. Seems fitting for the one- dimensional character within the piece. "Depending on What Is Is" There is something about the title that reminds me of something a renowned poet of TPL has been oft-quoted as saying: “A poem IS.” And so it is to the 'isness' of this poem that I descend or ascend. He likes a curvaceous woman, no stick figures like models. He places women in a category with peach cobbler: crusty on the outside, a sweet filling. To begin with, I cannot fault his taste. Peach cobbler is a very satisfying dish, made properly. Never being much of a stick myself, I can identify. As far as crusty is concerned, perhaps a bit of worldliness appeals. But unfortunately, women are not consumables. We are not for casual devouring. Perhaps sweet, but belonging only to ourselves. In my view, like goddesses. He objectifies women in a rather chauvinistic way. "Okay, Senator," he says, seeing the girl under his desk, checking her lipstick. His voice never changes the entire time. "Well, Senator, I believe we'll come together I thought of the girl and wondered who is really the ‘ho’ here! I’ve met many with this so-called title. Usually hard-pressed, or supporting a drug habit, or children, coming from a pattern of degradation. I have known a ‘true' ho or two, IMO: a ‘for sale’ psychologist, quite willing to give a diagnosis to the right buyer. (Sorry, my cynicism is showing!) or once, an attorney who was paid great sums of money to defend the extreme wealth of the state vs. a victimized child. But I digress. The corrupt politician, with his sly aside does not endear himself to this reader. on the issue," laughing at his pun as he hangs up the phone and slips a hundred- dollar bill in the girl's pocket. He has no further need for the aging senator He is so clever. Let us plan what sort of dismemberment he deserves. A user and a taker, one who sees nothing in anyone but their value to his purposes. and should focus on his plans as the end of his tenure nears. He has options but what he wants is power. No, not power... respect. No phony backslapping, no air- Surprising statement that he wants not power, but ‘respect’ which may be translated as worship, IMO. kisses with women and no gratis speeches. He wants respect in the manner Aretha demanded and then commanded. All he has to do is flash that come-back grin Again, wordplay on the word “come” in the form of “come-back” as if his deeds will ‘come’ back to haunt him. To have his pronoun "He" uttered in the same line with Aretha seems anathema. I think that this is exactly your point. He has no power like hers, deserves not the respect that she commanded. and...remember the definitions of small words. Perhaps the smallest, ‘if’ he had character, or most especially, if he understood “is”! This man could not define his way no matter how flashy the “come-back grin.” And so, I wish to infer from the poem that he meets Fate, perhaps in the form of self-undoing. The champagne has proved flat to taste, as flat as the two-dimensional being inhabiting a humanoid carcass. I have no sympathy for him, having observed the machinations of similar men. Men with no heart, no awareness of soul or human values. I may be completely off-base. It’s always a stellar treat to find a new poem of yours, even though I like its subject far less than, for example, a scorpion or the wasp upon which I sat once. It was quite amusing in the long run, makes a great story, but I digress. This ironic poem is sharp as a surgical tool. I think it is now time for LL Em to take the hot bath and cleanse off the effluvia of the grinning fool with so few definitions in his vocabulary. I don’t know the back-story but would be very interested in hearing it, ma cheri. As always I am delighted to comment on a poem of yours and hope I have not missed your intent. If so, I plead guilty to reactivity based on experience in behalf of woman in miserable circumstances. Best always and congratulations on a bold new theme! Her omni-ness, feeling a bit put-off by the slimy fellows who populate this poem, but not by its author, who reigns as brilliantly as ever. L & K, LL Em

This Poem was Critiqued By: Rebecca B. Whited On Date: 2005-06-11 20:50:44
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.57143
Mel, I can't imagine who you are referring to, without openly naming him! Just kidding, this poor man will never live this one down! [LOL] "He likes a curvaceous woman, no stick figures like models." [I like the simile here...stick figures/models; perhaps the curvaceous women are more pliable!] "He places women in a category with peach [I bet he thought she was a 'peach' at the time! However, that pitt was probably hard to swallow later! LOL] cobbler: crusty on the outside, a sweet filling." [ah, sweet imagery used here; appleals to my senses! " "Okay, Senator," he says, seeing the girl under his desk, checking her lipstick." [as if she has any left on her lips! If she has an open mirror under his desk, can't you just imagine his reflection in it? 'Bliss' seems too nice a word to describle his expression; perhaps 'smug satisfaction' describes it better] "His voice never changes the entire time. "Well, Senator, I believe we'll come together" [oh Mel, you naughty girl! Does this count as 'poetic allusion' [alluding to what just transpired under his desk]?, LOL, or irony?, or what???] "on the issue," laughing at his pun" [I see you just answered my question LOL] "as he hangs up the phone and slips a hundred- dollar bill in the girl's pocket." [was there money involved? Must have been for her to submit to an oldie goldie like him, being that she was so young and goodlooking!] "He has no further need for the aging senator and should focus on his plans as the end of his tenure nears." [I bet he thanks his lucky stars everyday that his tenure wasn't cut short!] "He has options but what he wants is power. No, not power... respect. No phony backslapping, no air- kisses with women and no gratis speeches. He wants respect in the manner Aretha demanded and then commanded." [I can hear Aretha belting it out now: RESPECT, find out what it means to me, RESPECT, taking care of TCB [?]...I can't remember all the words...oh yeah, SOCK IT TO ME, SOCK IT TO ME...] "All he has to do is flash that come-back grin and...remember the definitions of small words." [yeah like 'is' 'is'!!! He can blow it in the wind, as I don't buy his debate on that issue! LOL] Mel, thanks for the uplifting read! Blowing [excuse the pun] a little fun to the wind, are we, at the expense of another? While humerous, this poem has a deeper message: elected politicians need to respect the office to which they were elected....save the fun and games for after hours. I suppose, after all was said and done, he did demand respect and then commanded it, as he kept his job! It was a pleasure to find your post today. I hope that you are feeling better and stronger each day! Take care of yourself, Beck

This Poem was Critiqued By: Rachel F. Spinoza On Date: 2005-06-11 20:34:06
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
What IS IS that the present administration is killing people all over the world. Doesn't that make the personal excesses of a past president pale in comparison? Why dredge up old, healed bruises in the face of enormous, festering, wounds?

This Poem was Critiqued By: arnie s WACHMAN On Date: 2005-06-11 18:23:57
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.00000
He likes a curvaceous woman, no stick figures like models. He places women in a category with peach cobbler: crusty on the outside, a sweet filling.....my sentiments exactly/ Mmm yummy peachy "Okay, Senator," he says, seeing the girl under his desk, checking her lipstick. His voice never changes the entire time. "Well, Senator, I believe we'll come together.........as long as you can buy my vote. How about red ruby lipstick to give it a little glamour? on the issue," laughing at his pun as he hangs up the phone and slips a hundred- dollar bill in the girl's pocket. He has no further need for the aging senator.......and a lot more for a complete lay? Was this a wham bam thank you mam thing? and should focus on his plans as the end of his tenure nears. He has options but what he wants is power. No, not power... respect. No phony backslapping, no air-........Respect? Washington? You gotta be kidding! kisses with women and no gratis speeches. He wants respect in the manner Aretha demanded and then commanded. All he has to do is flash that come-back grin and...remember the definitions of small words''''''''''''''''''''''''............R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Very folksy approach with a dash of humour. Did you have anyone in mind? Depending on what it is ...is right!Our Canadian politicians as going from scandal to scandal. I thoroughly enjoyed this well written soliloquay.

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