The Petty Tyrants



And I have things within me, though unseen, belong.
Often enough the outer look belies the inner stare
With its sweet interpretations.
And what you guess you see is born from the need
To keep Hyde hidden.
Where loving lies, rears lust -
Where happiness., melancholy -
Where friendship feeds, breeds hate -
Where I seem to listen, I sneer.
And I have all these things hidden within.
And they await to break through
These sweet shell interpretations.

As freedom endures.

About this poem

Some people present a face that is only a sham to cover their real motives. This poem was originally called "Split" when I wrote it in 1977. Sadly, the world has had many tyrants. Today they have infiltrated into democratic countries. Two especially come to mind.

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Written on November 12, 1977

Submitted by mcks on February 18, 2023

Modified on April 03, 2023

27 sec read
2

Quick analysis:

Scheme XXAXXXXXXXXA X
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 472
Words 91
Stanzas 2
Stanza Lengths 12, 1

Ron McKinnon

 · 1948 · Windsor

A Nanaimo BC resident, I began writing poetry while working in Squamish. BC, and have continued writing ever since. more…

All Ron McKinnon poems | Ron McKinnon Books

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    "The Petty Tyrants" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 2 Dec. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/151884/the-petty-tyrants>.

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