Rhetorical Powers

Rhetorical Powers

You expect a tremendous amen—
But I’m yawning inside. I have been
In attendance for hours.
Your rhetorical powers?
You need not, sir, display them again.

–Tom Riley

Die Stimme

Die Stimme

 

What we heard was a roar, not a shriek.
Soaring vengeance they’d opted to seek—
And they knew whom they’d blame.
What corrupted their aim?
They’d permitted Herr Hitler to speak.

 

–Tom Riley

 

Afterwords

Afterwords

 

 

 

 

 

Do you speak long and wisely?  You do—

Or we say that you do.  There are few

     Who deny you such powers.

     But you’ve been speaking hours.

Why not let blessed silence ensue?

 

 

 

 

 

–Tom Riley

Speechification

Speechification

 

 

 

 

 

“Time to listen intently!  Now gather!”

“What?  Hear more of your crap, sir?  We’d rather

     Be transfixed, spear on spear!”

     “Nonetheless, you are here—

And I’ll serve you the usual blather….”

 

 

 

 

–Tom Riley