The Emperor's New Clothes - A Quadrille

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 It's Quadrille Monday at dVerse.  

 Pen us a poem of precisely 44 words (not counting the title), including some form of the word puff.

Rather than puffy things, like clouds, puffball fungus, or puffins, I though of those who are puffed up with pride.

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES

He doesn’t walk,

he struts,

or strutted years ago,

now slowed

and stumbling,

unsure of where he is.

Always proud though.

That hasn’t changed.

If anything it’s grown

with puffery

shouted from the dwindling crowds.

Do we pity?

I don’t.

He pities no one.

©2026 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved  

#dVerse #quadrille #44words#poetryprompt

Comments

  1. brudbergJuly 14, 2026 at 7:30 AM

    I think I have someone in mind that fits this poem

    ReplyDelete
  2. TruedessaJuly 14, 2026 at 10:30 AM

    haha - If anything it's grown with puffery - sad but true.

    ReplyDelete
  3. PaulaJuly 14, 2026 at 10:42 AM

    Good one!

    ReplyDelete
  4. LisaJuly 14, 2026 at 12:05 PM

    Lisa, I know *exactly* who you are talking about. On another puffed figure, I saw someone apologizing for McConnell's career because he had polio as a kid. No thanks, I don't buy that. So did FDR have polio and look at what he accomplished during his presidency.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LisaJuly 14, 2026 at 2:08 PM

      Yes, I didn't want to name it too obvious by calling it The President's New Clothes! I will guess there are some in other countries who see their own "Emperor"! Polio is certainly no excuse for McConnell's viewpoints!

      Delete
  5. Rosemary Nissen-WadeJuly 14, 2026 at 7:30 PM

    Unfortunately it seems there are plenty who don't see the clothes for what they are, but buy the illusion.

    ReplyDelete
  6. shaun/tenzenmenJuly 14, 2026 at 11:15 PM

    Listening to a podcast recently about the US-China relationships with the Global Majority countries I heard that people in those countries don't bother following news from the US as it is too tiring to try and follow. The more that balloon deflates the more it is tried to be puffed up again. It says a lot about the puffer.

    ReplyDelete
  7. ben AlexanderJuly 16, 2026 at 10:03 AM

    Lisa, I’m struck by how his body grows weaker while his pride grows stronger, and you show that contrast with sharp, powerful skill!

    Much love,
    David
    SkepticsKaddish.com

    ReplyDelete

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