Ralph Nader on Corporate Fascism

They're Knuckling Under

This is the latest piece from the collection I am tentatively titling Tercet By Moonlight. It was inspired by a woman named Murial that I work with. We had a very engaging conversation about the American Axel strike and what she felt it meant to the Union and the Automotive Industry as a whole.

They’re Knuckling Under

Secretive grins smear the high horses faces
Their clever, anvil hammered shoes trampling
The teetering weather weakened picket fence

Corporate Nazgûl, dark riders, kings dethroned
Whose pungent chemical breath chokes and pushes
The whirling feather of solidarity

Union sweat still lingering on the down line
Hopelessly mingling with the fear and blood
It’s true then! Giants do grind their bones for bread.

3-12-08

This morning my wife and I were discussing the ending of this poem and she suggested changing it because it didn't seem to keep the same mood or feel as the rest of the piece. I agreed with her so here is an alternate ending for the poem. Any feedback as to which ending is prefered would be appreciated.

They’re Knuckling Under (Version 2)

Secretive grins smear the high horses faces

Their clever, anvil hammered shoes trampling

The teetering weather weakened picket fence

Corporate Nazgûl, dark riders, kings dethroned

Whose pungent chemical breath chokes and pushes

The whirling feather of solidarity

Union sweat still lingering on the down line

Hopelessly mingling with the fear, the blood

The frost that mantles this unmendable wall.

3-13-08