“Rebuttal Rhyme”

  

c. 2026 Rod Ice

All rights reserved

(6-26)

 

Note to Readers: This composition came to mind after being called out in a post on social media. Forgive me, my reaction here is quite predictable. More art and less conflict... 

 

Seeking to be prominent

That’s a charge I can’t accept

With infirmities and handicaps

I am quiet on my deck

Did you take a detour

From the truth to other things?

And imagine me a boxer

A mighty king of the ring?

I’ll guess that you have erred

It’s amusing on its own

To judge a busted fellow

As if he sat upon a throne

I can’t claim to be averse

When told to take a hike

But I’ve got a poet’s knack

For writing lyrics, in the night

So, I’ll offer you this verse

Given as a point of fact

It’s not worth the effort needed

For a verbal, vain attack

I’m anonymous enough

To make one wonder if I exist

A work of speculation

A plotted plunder ‘round the twist

If you think upon this

With the care that it deserves

You’ll find yourself in a maze

A roundabout of endless curves

Looking at a mirror self

With evidence intact

A rebuke from the top of mind

A stated point of fact

I hope you’ll listen closely

At what the whispers say

There’s a reason to be silent

When you have no cards to play

It’s better to be thought a fool

Than to testify in court

Better to sail away from harm

Than languish in the port

You’ve brought this stain upon yourself

Now it is yours to face

No boast of brawn, however loud

Can bring a touch of grace

Turn aside from stepping stones

Too quick to slip and slide

A gambler knows to fold his hand

When a wager is unwise

Chastened by the odds

And shy from shedding gain

I’d rather skip a try at luck

Than surrender my good name

When you come with a claim to make

In the gleam of glorious gold

Remember that false witness borne

Is soon to be retold

What you speak to power

Will echo back, a hundred times

Until your ears grow weary

From the ring of restless rhymes

The painter’s brush is careful

To color every claim

And if you also dabble there

Be certain of your aim

An invocation to the sky

Or a cause of sticks and swords

Choose the yield of a patient smile

Over pride and war

Perhaps this chant is not enough

I know you may dissent

But the final word is on my tongue

This tome is at its end