As News Goes By

You must remember this
Whether new Pope
or gay kiss
Prez speaks
Important people die

Fundamental or trivial
sometimes
the news goes by.

And when things happen
as they do
that's another poem or two
On that you can rely.

This poet'll keep you
wittily apprised
as news goes by.

This poem © 2013 Emily Cooper.

How Joan of Arc Felt

(Apologies to the Smiths)

In this fast-paced
modern news age

a Fox blonde
has one concern

Megyn's just discovered

Some Santas
are darker than others

Some Santas
are darker than others

Some Santas are "brothers"
or even
Muslim-like colors.

Send her your tchotchkes
the ones with White Jesus
and she'll be just fine.

This poem © 2013 Emily Cooper.

The Unrest Will Follow

(Apologies to En Vogue)

Inspire loathing
with words they choose
to describe themselves
and also maybe you.

Putin forgive them
for putting on airs
by saying Russia's women
don't have it quite fair.

They might support
the gay pride colors
it doesn't mean they'll make
Parliament kiss each other.

Free Pussy Riot
and let Greenpeacers go

Support human rights
and "amnesty"
won't be shallow.

This poem © 2013 Emily Cooper.

Sign of the Times

(Apologies to Ace of Base)

They saw him sign
right with their own two eyes
they saw him sign

through speeches commanding
the deaf got brave
grandstanding

Newhoudt saw him sign
right with her own two eyes
she saw him sign

apparently he just walked right up
and with millions watching thought
"What could go wrong?"

This poem © 2013 Emily Cooper.

Restless Peace

Changes in laws
don't change
the minds of the powerful
overnight

neither those
of the elite ruling party

nor those
of the rank-and-file citizens
granted access
to selective democracy.

But Nelson Mandela
accepted the long fight's
journey into day

and negotiated
with the night

because freedom
had no other choice.

This poem © 2013 Emily Cooper.