To tell a parrot a lie
It’ll blindly repeat never deny
Squawking out to passerby's
Who look on with wary eyes
It’ll say it forever, day and night
Not even knowing it isn’t right
And once someone says it’s not true
That parrot will be filled with rue
It’ll feel guilty, even more than sad
It never knew those words were bad
But somehow the parrot is to blame
It said the lie and that’s what it became
A way of life in the dark
A journey it never wanted to embark
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Author:
Cheesencrackers (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: February 10th, 2026 09:45
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 19
Offline)
Comments2
Beware what is said around anyone that can repeat it. Had a neighbor as a child that had a parrot and the people from the church could never come over because it was foul mouthed pun intended.
Yes we must be careful of our words. Thank you for the comment Soren.
You are most welcome Allie
Many parrots in the world, several species, each of which have their own specific squawk. (Sometimes though it is less of a squawk, than a whisper or even something they just retain in their heads)
Beyond the question of who told told them this lie in the first place and why, Is the question of their refusal to even attempt to…..
Interesting analogy.
Thank you for the read, it’s appreciated.
Not necessary to appreciate - I'm interested in the topic and would like to know if my response in any way paralleled the model you have in your mind from which you drew your piece.
I think your analogy overlaps with part of what I was exploring, especially the idea of inherited beliefs being repeated without examination. However, my focus was less on refusal to question and more on the innocence of the “parrot” — how it can internalize something it never chose and then carry guilt for it. So while there’s definitely a parallel, I was thinking more about misplaced blame and unintended identity formation.
I saw the analogy as coming from you – I just followed through. Unfortunately (‘unfortunately’ here, ‘fortunately’ from where I stand) I have a belief in the ability to seek better answers through rational debate (though where that leaves me in a time of social media, I have no real idea!)
However short this dialogue may be or will be, I’m grateful for it – too many MPS equivalents of a quick ‘poetic’ grunt 'round here…
I value the exchange as well. I was primarily exploring the idea of unintended inheritance and misplaced guilt, though I can see how the analogy invites broader questions. I appreciate the dialogue, and im interested in your perspective.
Here’s my position from (all the W’s) white working class Western culture: at adolescence the average emerging human has the chance to individuate – to separate from their parents and develop their own view of the world. I appreciate that this process is not the same in all cultures, and then there would be other tensions, other demands.
But the only existence I can satisfactorily conceive of is one where individuals leave themselves open to debate, contradiction and correction if proven wrong, as I occasionally am. (Note I’m only prepared to concede ‘occasionally’)😜
I appreciate you laying out your position so clearly. I agree that individuation and openness to correction are important parts of growth. In the poem, though, I was more focused on what happens when someone internalizes something before they’re fully aware of it — and the emotional weight that can follow. I don’t see that as opposing debate, but rather as exploring the psychological complexity that can precede it.
I accept that. There's a whole new debate to be had there. Phychology is not one of my favourite preoccupations, though there are insights there. Apologies for taking up so much of your space, though I did enjoy.....Looks like you will provide plenty of material to pick on later...😊
No need to apologize, I enjoyed it as well. I appreciate you taking your time to challenge my thoughts, it leads to me becoming a better poet. I hope to have another discussion with you soon!
Don't just stick at being a poet, for crying out loud. Please just make that a part of you😊 .
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