Theater

Too much drama in the performance arts;
Too many celebrities chasing controversies.

Too much drama in conservative talk radio;
Trolls and echo chambers repeating the noise.

Too much drama in right-wing social feeds;
Clickbait headlines and the fake news they breed.

Too much drama in the legislature;
Bigots and nationalists fueling the hate.

Too much drama in the Republican Party;
Propagandists and instigators sealing your fate.

Too much drama in the White House;
Sycophants and fear mongers playing their part.

Too much drama in the justice system;
Loopholes and political prisoners tearing us apart.

Too much drama in foreign affairs;
Warmongers and interventionists making the call.

Too much drama in the education system;
MAGA hats and bureaucrats blocking the way.

Too much drama in the sports arena;
Activists and sore losers making a scene.

Too much drama in healthcare’s maze;
Evil capitalists and insurers robbing your future.

Too much drama in big corporations;
Cronies and virtue signalers on parade.

Too much drama in prosperity religion;
Charlatans and idol worshipers in full display.

Too much drama in gender roles;
Cheaters and divorcees paying the toll.

Too much drama in the community;
Deadbeat dads and wife beaters, out of control.

Too much drama in Hollywood’s glare;
Bad actors and reality shows filling the screen.

Oh, wait a minute—that’s where theatrics belongs,
So save your drama—save it for your mama!

How America Got Divorced from Reality

Drama: The Theater of Society

This poem offers a sweeping critique of contemporary society’s obsession with drama across various spheres, highlighting how sensationalism and conflict have become pervasive in modern life. Through vivid imagery and pointed references, the poet explores the ubiquity of drama in politics, media, social issues, and entertainment, ultimately suggesting that drama’s natural domain is the realm of entertainment, not the fabric of serious societal institutions.

Structure and Tone

The poem employs a repetitive, rhythmic structure with parallel lines that emphasize the widespread nature of drama. Each stanza introduces a different facet of society—be it politics, media, or personal life—paired with a descriptor that underscores chaos, controversy, or superficiality. The tone oscillates between satirical and critical, using humor and irony to underscore the absurdity of the relentless theatrics.

Themes and Social Commentary

A primary theme is society’s fixation on sensationalism. The poem depicts the media—including social feeds, talk radio, and Hollywood—as breeding grounds for controversy, fake news, and spectacle. For example, lines like “Clickbait headlines and the fake news they breed” critique the superficiality and dishonesty that dominate online discourse, while “Celebrities chasing controversies” lampoons the obsession with celebrity scandals.

The poem also criticizes political polarization and the erosion of civility. References to “Bigots and nationalists fueling the hate” and “Propagandists and instigators sealing your fate” suggest a landscape rife with division and manipulation. The mention of “Loopholes and political prisoners” in the justice system hints at systemic issues, where conflict and controversy overshadow justice and fairness.

Cultural and Ideological Critique

The poem explicitly targets certain cultural phenomena, such as the influence of MAGA hats and the politicization of education, indicating concern over the rise of nationalism and ideological rigidity. The line “MAGA hats and bureaucrats blocking the way” combines political symbolism with institutional critique, suggesting that these factors hinder genuine progress.

In the entertainment realm, the phrase “Hollywood’s glare; bad actors and reality shows” satirizes the superficiality of popular culture, contrasting it with the more serious societal issues discussed elsewhere in the poem.

Humor and Irony

The concluding couplet delivers a punchline that encapsulates the poem’s tone: “Oh, wait a minute—that’s where theatrics belongs, / So save your drama—save it for your mama!” It employs irony, implying that drama, while rampant and often destructive in society, is appropriate only in the realm of entertainment and personal relationships. This closing remark invites reflection: society’s collective obsession with conflict and spectacle diminishes the seriousness of genuine issues, trivializing them as mere entertainment.

Overall, the poem functions as a satirical mirror reflecting modern society’s penchant for sensationalism. It invites readers to consider the consequences of elevating drama over meaningful discourse and to recognize where true importance—and perhaps, true civility—should reside. By framing drama as the domain of entertainment, the poet urges a reevaluation of societal priorities, warning that excessive spectacle risks undermining the foundations of meaningful dialogue and progress.

Why the wrong people end up in power

“Ignorance breeds fear. We fear those things we don’t understand. If we don’t put a lid on that fear and keep that fear in check, that fear in turn will breed hatred because we hate those things that frighten us. “If we don’t keep that hatred in check, that hatred in turn will breed destruction.” By: Daryl Davis

“Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, without compassion, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people. These are the kind of people who smooth-talk themselves into the homes of unstable and needy women and take advantage of them; women who, depressed by their sinfulness, take up with every new religious fad that calls itself “truth.” They get exploited every time and never really learn. The Message Bible, 2 Timothy 3:1-7

“Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete.” Romans 12:2

“The more time you spend with your nemesis, the more you will find out that you have things in common, and if you spend even more time with him, you will find out that you have less things in contrast.” By: Anonymous

“moral grandstanding can be defined as ‘the use and abuse of moral talk to seek status, to promote oneself, or to boost your own brand.’ A moral grandstander is therefore a person who frequently uses public discussion of morality and politics to impress others with their moral qualities. Crucially, these individuals are primarily motivated by the desire to enhance their own status or ranking among their peers.
Let’s face it: Moral grandstanding seems to be everywhere these days. As clinical psychologist Joshua Grubbs notes, “Perhaps, just perhaps, part of the reason so many of us are so awful to each other so much of the time on here is related to a desire to show off to like-minded others. In essence, sometimes we behave poorly in an effort to gain the respect and esteem of folks like us.” Excerpt from: Are You a Moral Grandstander?

Prompt:

Too much drama in the performance arts;
Too many celebrities and controversies.

Too much drama in conservative talk radio;
Too many trolls and echo chambers.

Too much drama in right-wing social media;
Too many clickbait headlines and fake news.

Too much drama in the legislature;
Too many bigots and Christian nationalists.

Too much drama in the Republican Party;
Too many propagandists and instigators.

Too much drama in the White House;
Too many sycophants and fear mongers.

Too much drama in the justice system;
Too many loopholes and political prisoners.

Too much drama in foreign policy;
Too many warmongers and interventionists.

Too much drama in the education system;
Too many MAGA hats and bureaucrats.

Too much drama in the sports arena;
Too many activists and sore losers.

Too much drama in healthcare;
Too many profiteers and insurance companies.