Enemy of the State (poem) by Paul Williams on AuthorsDen

Reviewed on August 18, 2007

Paul,
You speak for so many uncomprehending souls, so concisely, so eloquently. The voices of dissent are dead or dying, silenced by political orthodoxy and the technological power of the state; silenced by a the dictatorhip of the majority. Modern day democracy has a chilling, Orwellian aspect that kills the very idea and concept of freedom.

Thanks for your insight - first piece I've added to my Authorsden library.
Keith

Reviewed by Michael Hemingway

Reviewed on August 3, 2007

Good in a rhyming or metered sort of way, although a bit presumptuous. I mean, there are quite a few enemies of the state out there! Some better, some worse, some very competent, some incompetent!!

Reviewed by Approximately Naive

Reviewed on November 3, 2006

Oh how this kind of stuff resonates with a side of me that if given free reign goes off in a tangent. I was arrested on a picket line in Warrington in 1983 (Eddie Shah dispute aka Stockport Messenger v the NGA) at the start of an epoch when union and political activists were deemed 'enemies of the state' by the enemy of social democracy - monetarism. Our crime was public order offences. That's a bloody laugh. The Eddie Shah testing ground for the 'Tebbit Law' aside (it was actually Wilson's 1967 law but placed on the statute books)Ian McGregor shuts down the coal industry and gets a knighthood, we (my dad was a miner) tried to save the industry and we get a summons. Now, 25 years after Thatcher's social dismantling of the state and society fabric, the very same Thatcherites bemoan the decline in society and community morality. These were the enemy of the state but they made us the bogeymen to sidetrack the finger of guilt.

Reviewed by Karla Dorman, The StormSpinner

Reviewed on October 25, 2006

The media wants us to know what it wants us to know, not what we need to know. Excellent, scathing indictment, Paul, convincingly penned.

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.

Reviewed by Phyllis Jean Green

Reviewed on October 24, 2006

Drum on!!

Reviewed by Taylor Ryan

Reviewed on October 23, 2006

I believe little of what I hear and read news wise these days...seen it twisted and turned and abused all too often at the expense and demise of others...and encouragement of the enemy...
Taylor~

Reviewed by Miss Pandora (Reader)

Reviewed on October 21, 2006

Paul the reality we have now is so frightening. No smoking here, no drinking there, no disciplining your children, no fatty foods, bla bla bla...when will it all end,...gene doctoring in Gattica. Powerful write that I really enjoyed, you bring the message home very well. Love Panda :)

Reviewed by Richard Cederberg

Reviewed on October 20, 2006

"News at Eleven" indeed poet.

You paint the landscape with the reddened eyes of an Isaiah or a Jeremiah Paul.

And I must agree with Andre, our leaders, most of our bloody leaders, have become but a simulacrum, or a vague or insubstantial semblance of what the American, and all other countries need.

I find the sword/quill you wield to be effective. It cuts to the quick of the matter and does so without offending.

I salute you!

Light and Wisdom ...
Richard Lloyd Cederberg

Reviewed by A PAX

Reviewed on October 18, 2006

wow!!!!!!!!!!
A keeper Paul........clap clap......standing ovation
pax A

Reviewed by Kate Burnside

Reviewed on October 17, 2006

ABSOLUTELY!!! Our singular love of the morbid and perverse gives us the media we deserve (almost poetry!!) Whoever listens out for "good" news?! What we feast on, we become... de-sensitised at the very least. Can just hear you "performing" this and your One- Mad-Man-On-The-Loose act sounds one not to be allowed to get away... if you want Laurel and Hardy to back you up, Andy and I will be on the next northbound train... if we can find the station! PS Partytime not QUITE here yet, but you will be kept informed! :)) LOL Kate AD, your local correspondent... xx

Reviewed by Sage Sweetwater

Reviewed on October 16, 2006

A cast for a Williams Production Tales From the Apocolypse...the carpenters build the stage set Enemy of the State, about a dozen of us pitch our tents, add our ammenities, our names, Cliff Dwellers, Moonshiners, and the Jungle Camp features mint juleps that loosens our tongues for freedom of speech...Williams Productions serve a cultural function and very popular in literary circles...Williams, yes, Sir Paul Williams, a poetic innovator who puts Tales From the Apocolypse into impressive framework for the greater good of humanity...

Sage

Reviewed by Andy Turner (Reader)

Reviewed on October 16, 2006

Todays England. Time to fight against the new oppressive state..

Reviewed by Regis Auffray

Reviewed on October 16, 2006

A powerful poetic statement, Paul. Thank you for sharing it. Love and peace to you,

Regis

Reviewed by Peter Paton

Reviewed on October 16, 2006

Paul

I suspect you are nearer to the truth than most would like to contemplate or consider..

Brilliant rave from the crypt

Peter

Reviewed by Victor Buhagiar (Reader)

Reviewed on October 16, 2006

Right on the dot. We are supposed to have freedom, but woe betide you if you do not agree with the powers that be. Great poem. Victor

Reviewed by Kate Clifford (Reader)

Reviewed on October 16, 2006

Powerful write!

Reviewed by Jerry Bolton (Reader)

Reviewed on October 16, 2006

"And then along came Jones, hard working Jones, along came Jones to save the day." Couldn't help but have a Coasters flashback as I read this gritty piece.

Reviewed by jude forese

Reviewed on October 15, 2006

you capture the character and mindset of "the one everyone love's to hate" quite effectively, Paul ... they can't wait to be subjected to the news of his continual arrival but abhor his return ...

Reviewed by Aberjhani

Reviewed on October 15, 2006

Wow, talk about a bit of powerhouse literary subversion! Reads like something by George Orwell in one of his more aggressive modes. Great piece from a great work in dynamic progress.
Aberjhani

Reviewed by S J (Reader)

Reviewed on October 15, 2006

Paul,
This chilled me to the bone! What is, and is to come, "Enemy of the State."

Profound work!

Sheila

Reviewed by Chanti Niven

Reviewed on October 15, 2006

You're such a good writer and poet Paul. Your talent shines in this one and I'm glad you posted it. It's also so good to read your work again. I've been such a haphazard member of this group.
Chanti

Reviewed by Gwen Dickerson

Reviewed on October 15, 2006

Nicely done, Paul! Quite a juicy and meaty message -- one to sink my teeth into, chew and digest! Oh yeah, I really enjoyed!

Reviewed by SHERRY HEIM

Reviewed on October 15, 2006

To be a drone or not to be a drone, that is the question, then once that is decided, who do we believe or follow, or do we need to look inside ourselves and decide what we believe to be the truth. I don't think much has changed, it has probably always been like this, but it seems that we are now, finally, questioning authority, but we inject little power for change. Most of us sit back and point our finger and place blame, but we don't work toward a viable solution. Apathy abounds and it will, in the end, be the death of our freedom. Good write with lots to ponder, Paul.
Take care,
Sherry

Reviewed by Handsum Hart

Reviewed on October 15, 2006

I'm not a big fan of my local news, there's too many in-studio reporters for my liking.

Nice work, a no nonsense write.

Best wishes

Reviewed by Andre Bendavi ben-YEHU

Reviewed on October 15, 2006

"Enemy of the State"... Equals to "ENEMY OF HUMANITY"... is a live picture of any of those MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT SEATS at United Nations Security Council.

I have enjoyed the imagery in this accomplished poetic task.

Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU

Reviewed by E T Waldron

Reviewed on October 15, 2006

Spot on with this gem Paul! A chilling reality!Superb writing!

Eileen

Reviewed by Tinka Boukes

Reviewed on October 15, 2006

Chilling write Chuckie...no wonder I do not listen to the news anymore....it freaks me out!!

But some "Vampires are really cool....wink!!

Love Tinka

Reviewed by Lew Duffey

Reviewed on October 15, 2006

I'm not sure I know what to make of this one. I must admit it gives me something to ponder. It causes me to remind myself that freedom does not come freely. Many would call me an enemy of the state if I do not agree with the leaders. I have that right. I plan no bombings or revolutions but I have a mind. Is this what you are trying to say?
God Bless,
Lew