Reverse of The Great Seal of the United States
on U.S. Currency
Invitation to Invest
If it's a pyramid scheme,
nobody keeps an eye
on the guy at the top.
When you're creating
a new order and claim
Providence favors your
every move, you don't
need to finish the building.
Starting it is good enough.
By the time the last block
is in place, the climb up is
much harder for anyone
beginning at the bottom
of those 13 slippery rows.
You just have to talk Latin
to your stars in the middle,
remember to let them bask
in the shine your own rays
cast in all directions. Write
them their check in Roman
numerals, date it 1776, sign
it Virgil. The promise of it's
the poetry: the few bills slipped
from the pocket of your pants.
© 2012 Maureen E. Doallas
_______________________________
This poem is my response to today's photo prompt at Magpie Tales, shown above. If you're unfamiliar with the symbols and inscriptions on our money, go here for an informative explanation. I've made liberal use of it.
The prompt, provided by poet Tess Kincaid, can be found here. Write our own poem to the prompt, drop the link where indicated, and enjoy the other contributors' poems.
Posts
12 comments:
I really enjoyed your take on this prompt--great flow and imagery!
Nice take on this image!
Of course ... the pyramid! Nicely done.
Of course ... the pyramid! Nicely done.
very nice imagery..i see you picked up on the number 13 too!!
it's really kind of a creepy illustration, isn't it?
Fantastic poem.
One of the things that makes me laugh is that the motto used on our currency is made up. I think he read too much Latin. But at least we didn't end up with the Egyptian pharoah in an open chariot, an image that Thomas Jefferson loved so much that he used it for his personal seal. Ben Franklin liked the idea of using the turkey instead of the eagle. Imagine the poetic justice in that!
You should send a copy to Bernie Madoff. Well done.
I love that I am always learning new things when I come here. That poem is just smart.
So much truth in this amazing poem Maureen....you have a wonderful talent to say the truth your own brilliant way.
Intelligently crafted.
Nice one!
=)
Cleverly written!
Post a Comment