The lie machine spreads vicious memes
through Facebook’s anxious timelines.
In hatred’s sweet extreme,
behind the scenes, its writers scheme
disseminating landmines.
The lie machine spreads rousing memes.
Masses of memes flood media streams,
falsely polished to lure and shine
in hatred’s sweet extreme.
Beneath the stream, trolls wait to scream.
Dissension is their concubine.
The lie machine spreads reams of memes
to fertilize its party’s dreams
where fear and anger twixt and twine
in hatred’s sweet extreme.
Cleaving words from fact, it gleams.
Laugh lines crease its faces.
The lie machine spreads gleeful memes
in hatred’s sweet extreme.
Brenda Warren 2015
undercaws 
Excellent write, Brenda and the form works well with tension it creates. Bravo, my friend.
Pamela ox
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dynamite words and form !!
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Like an ever faster merry-go-round. The form and poem are brilliant, Brenda!
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Love it Brenda. So true, and great take on the prompt.
Benjamin
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wonderful….
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You are dong your part brilliantly to stop the wheels of the hate machine ❤️
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excellent. exactly where the words went for me. glad I stopped in ~
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You did really well with these words, Brenda. I too, am tired of the lies and extreme verbiage. The more classic poetic forms drive me crazy (when I try them), but enjoy reading them. The fact that you find them calming is super and more power to you,
Elizabeth
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As I read the thoughts chugged in rhythm like gossip bubbling up and down in a pressure cooker..deftly illustrated by your picture also – it is a dilemma (to say the least) – freedom of speech is of course a right but I think these acts of terror are fuelled by the wall to wall media coverage they are inevitably ‘rewarded’ with..also the bias – we live in the Western world but how many people elsewhere die in horrendous circumstances and we never know..anyway climbing off my soap box..wishing you a peaceful Christmas time – and thank you always for the whirls..
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Thank you for sharing your impression of a pressure cooker. I can see that, and certainly have been feeling it. It distresses me that lies are so easily spread. The good news is that more and more fact checking occurs, Spreading the truth? Let’s hope that catches on soon.
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We can’t ignore hatemongers but we can present a balanced view showing possibilities rather than negativity. I quite liked the form of the poem.
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Right you are, OE. I’m afraid that I’ve been in a bit of a negative state lately. As to form, when I decided on the direction of the poem, I thought the repetition of the villanelle would frame it well. Forms can get me out of a writing slump.
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The form was fabulous – kept the tension thrumming
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It is still my firm belief
there is more goodness here than grief
The more the haters try to win
the more the goodies start to spin
a web of love with comfort in.
Generosity and love prevail
to vanquish hatred and ill-will
All in favour raise hands to hail
a firm resolve for peace.
Love,
ViV xox
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Your response is beautiful and brimming with hope. Thank you, Viv.
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Oh yes Vi .. Oh. Yes.
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