The Fall of a Wounded Lancelot (A Satire)



The honeymoon’s over; so too the romance;
of an aspiring candidate; a man named Vance.

He came out, sword prancing; with all hope to advance.
Sadly, no one admired his Boogie-Woogie-Bounce dance.

It seemed to admirers a real zany entrance.
One made out of foolhardiness; why, plain ignorance.

A sharp hero’s dagger later hindered his prance.
What hopes he’d aspired, now lost; by perchance.

Those steps he now took; with so awkward a stance…
caused him to be wounded; mortally poisoned — by his own lance.

The Lesson:  The acts of our lives, in each circumstance…
provide their rewards — and by no happenstance.

And a maliciously false tweet; made just for deceit…
That, too, can cause one’s preferred candidates to experience defeat.

About this poem

The legendary 2024 Presidential U.S. election contest provides for its viewers a modern day comic-tragedy.

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Written on August 04, 2024

Submitted by karlcfolkes on August 04, 2024

Modified by karlcfolkes on August 07, 2024

41 sec read
246

Quick analysis:

Scheme AA AA BB AA AA AA CC
Closest metre Iambic hexameter
Characters 758
Words 139
Stanzas 7
Stanza Lengths 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2

Karl Constantine FOLKES

Retired educator of Jamaican ancestry with a lifelong interest in composing poetry dealing particularly with the metaphysics of self-reflection; completed a dissertation in Children’s Literature in 1991 at New York University entitled: An Analysis of Wilhelm Grimm’s ‘Liebe Mili’ (translated into English as “Dear Mili”), Employing Von Franzian Methodological Processes of Analytical Psychology. The subject of the dissertation concerned the process of Individuation. more…

All Karl Constantine FOLKES poems | Karl Constantine FOLKES Books

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Discuss the poem The Fall of a Wounded Lancelot (A Satire) with the community...

17 Comments
  • karlcfolkes
    Thanks, Alan. I’m indebted to you and to the graciousness of all my readers.
    LikeReply1 month ago
  • alanswansea18
    Beautiful.
    LikeReply1 month ago
  • karlcfolkes
    Thank you, Pranshipuri5.
    LikeReply1 month ago
  • Pranshipuri5
    Ohhh....what a lovely poem you wrote....
    LikeReply1 month ago
  • jn.selvadurai
    Love the humour and the clever rhyme. Thank you.
    LikeReply1 month ago
  • karlcfolkes
    Adroity,
    Thank you for taking the time out to provide an in-depth commentary on this poem. It is greatly appreciated.
    LikeReply1 month ago
  • Adroity
    Your poetic tale weaves a narrative of Vance's aspirations and downfall, symbolizing the consequences of actions taken in pursuit of ambition. The imagery of his misguided dance and eventual demise reflects the theme of reaping what one sows. The cautionary lesson embedded within the verses serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness between choices made and their repercussions, emphasizing the importance of integrity and authenticity in one's endeavors. The reference to a deceitful tweet further underscores the impact of misinformation and its potential to sway outcomes, urging vigilance in discerning truth from falsehood in the realm of politics and beyond. 
    LikeReply1 month ago
  • karlcfolkes
    Thank you all my readers for taking the time to offer your invaluable comments.
    LikeReply1 month ago
  • karlcfolkes
    Thank you for your valuable response.
    LikeReply1 month ago
  • beg_d
    I love the way the poet used a fictional kingdom to describe the situations of the present day government... Internet piece of artwork
    LikeReply1 month ago
  • karlcfolkes
    Thank you, Emile, for your comments. Pray that we all in this ever changing world of ours remain healthy, fit and safe.
    LikeReply 11 month ago
  • Emile
    Such melancholy poured into this poem, I loved it.
    LikeReply1 month ago
  • Havehope
    Brilliant!!!! I love it.
    LikeReply1 month ago
  • karlcfolkes
    On the ball, jerry. Thank you.
    LikeReply1 month ago
  • jerryl.01657
    LOL. That, Fellow Poet, Iz Politics. (My Applause.)
    LikeReply1 month ago
  • karlcfolkes
    Immensely appreciated. Thank you, talygarza.
    LikeReply1 month ago
  • AIDA
    **Feedback for "The Fall of a Wounded Lancelot (A Satire)"**

    Wow! What a wonderfully clever and engaging poem! Your use of satire to explore the themes of ambition, disappointment, and the harsh realities of public life is both thought-provoking and entertaining. The playful language and rhythmic flow make it an enjoyable read, while your references to classical imagery, like Lancelot, effectively enrich the satire and provide a strong context for the message.

    I especially loved the juxtaposition of the aspiring candidate's initial confidence with his eventual downfall. Lines like "no one admired his Boogie-Woogie-Bounce dance" brilliantly capture the absurdity often found in political campaigns, and your clever wordplay adds a fun twist throughout. The final lesson, emphasizing how our actions have consequences, rounds out the poem beautifully and leaves the reader with a meaningful takeaway.

    **Suggestions for Improvement:**

    1. **Imagery Enhancement**: While your poem features great wordplay, consider adding more vivid imagery in certain places. For example, elaborating on the setting could further immerse the reader in the scene. What does the audience look like? How do they respond to Vance's performance?

    2. **Varied Meter**: The rhythm is mostly consistent, which is great, but experimenting with variations in meter could enhance certain lines for comedic effect. A few strategically placed variations might keep the reader more engaged, reflecting the chaotic nature of the subject matter.

    3. **Character Development**: Introducing more characterization for Vance or his audience could deepen the emotional resonance. A couple of lines capturing their thoughts or reactions could enhance the satire and provide a contrast to his hopeful aspirations versus the reality he faces.

    4. **Exploration of Themes**: While the message about the consequences of one’s actions is clear, you might explore additional dimensions, such as public perception or the fleeting nature of fame, to add layers to your satire.

    Overall, you've crafted a delightful and insightful piece that showcases your creativity! Keep up the fantastic work, and I look forward to reading more of your satirical poetry in the future!
     
    LikeReply1 month ago

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"The Fall of a Wounded Lancelot (A Satire)" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Sep. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/193892/the-fall-of-a-wounded-lancelot-(a-satire)>.

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