"Bread and circuses" (panem et circenses) is a phrase from Roman poet Juvenal, describing how leaders maintain power by providing cheap food and superficial entertainment to distract the populace from political issues and loss of freedom. Historically,


Bread and Circuses

Long running scam devouring the substance of human dreams

Generations generating totems simulacrums to positions of power

Body language of Control

Appartion appropriation of Word and Image to imply what is true

What is reality being tattooed within the eyes of infants at the moment of birth


Always being educated to learn then unlearn

What is essential to Life manipulated into a tool of coercive blackmail

Narrative broad pretentious and utterly false to the spirit of nature of creation

Hold sick hypnotic narcotic sway over the simply trying to exist masses

While mutations of spiritiual hypocrisy hold the highest positions imagined

But it all may be just that, Imaginary

A temporary Circus wagon rolling around and around one circular Town

Loudspeakers blaring empty promises of entertainment and treats

Promises too empty to occupy the dream they pretend to represent

Treats so poisonous that they devour in the devouring

Every name becomes a number

Each number is a figure

Locked in random cells of chaos and decay

"Wherefore we cry out"




Poetry by Chaucer Whethers The PoetBay support member heart!
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Written on 2026-04-27 at 22:15

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melanie sue The PoetBay support member heart!
EXCELLENT.
I have entertained these same thoughts- and you put it in fine writing-

It seems we're kind of like a modern day Rome. The old sayings ring true- there's nothing new under the sun.
Enjoyed this piece very much.
2026-04-27