22 April 2014

Arms Race



In stores a story's told:
hands down, hands off,
hands up, hands on,

an arms cache, arms haul,
arms repair, an arms dealer
with arms akimbo in the arms factory
for arms trade with smuggled armament.

We stand powerless in its midst,
throw up our hands and lament
this isn't the story we want told.


For Lolamouse at Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads who published her photos and asked us to write about one. It's also a friday fiction 55 for Mama Zen.

42 comments:

  1. ha. ok some fun play throughout when i think of all the manequin arms, but you end on a serious not...no, this is not the story we want...and we must find a way to change it...

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    1. I wonder what it will take for us to know that and make the change.

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  2. Such a clever play on words here, Mary.

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  3. ... arms dealer... That made me smile! Great piece, really enjoyed both its playfulness and the more serious side.

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    1. It's a strange photo and triggered this train of thought.

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  4. This is very clever wordplay - but the message at the end is powerful - "this isnt the story we want told". Perfectly said.

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    1. The need for change seems so obvious, but not to all evidently.

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  5. The mind boggles as to why there are so many arms minus bodies---LOL ♥ But the picture drew forth worthy thoughts...

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  6. Oh yes, I too want to hear the story you speak! Great little rhyme here as well. Hand up and hands down, perfect.

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  7. That was a fun play on the subject of arms. And quite the picture, too! :-)

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  8. ha no that's not the story we want... you end this on a thoughtful note...

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  9. Ooh, good one, Mary, especially the arm-y bits.
    K

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    1. I went a little crazy with it but it's a crazy reality.

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  10. Yes, I agree with the other commenters-very clever and even playful word use but this conveys a very serious message. Thank you for participating!

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    1. It's a serious issue. Thanks for the prompt and the photos, however strange they were.

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  11. Grim twist to this one...indeed not the story we want told.

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  12. 'for arms trade...' ~ cool play around the arms.

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    1. I saw a poster once: arms are for hugging. I agree.

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  13. clever word play..and ..love that twist in the end...

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  14. Nicely done. Clever use of the antiques to bring a message relevant for today!

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  15. spoke today to an activist who believes the days of incremental change are past, and the only way to effect significant results is through legislative action. he would fall into the old definition of 'conservative', since he promotes recognition of the science of climate change yet is a Republican in Orange County, CA. if even curmudgeonly old GOPers advocate environmentally friendly laws... maybe there is a glimmer of hope ~

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    1. I remember those conservatives and respected them. Different group now in terms of their legislative agenda.

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  16. Super clever. Thanks. k.

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  17. That's the God's honest truth. It isn't the story we want told!

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    1. I'm choosing to believe that we're weaving a magic web in our telling of a different story. Right?

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  18. This is a very smart and thought-provoking piece of word play. Well done!

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    1. I hoped it would be so thanks for your kind words, Mary.

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  19. Interesting and unique take--great repetition, too.

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  20. Arms dealer... is worth reading with Interesting Quibbles, funny yet serious!! smiles grandmother Mary:))

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