THE DEEP STATE
ATMOSPHERE
The atmosphere is reflective, tense, emotional, philosophical, socially disturbing, and cautionary. The poem creates a deep awareness of hidden corruption beneath the visible structures of society.
THE DEEP STATE
I remember those days when mum would say-
Son!
Just locate a church as soon as you arrive there.
All churches were churches
And God, the Omega.
It doesn't work that way today.
Mum will be good enough to say-
Son!
Locate a living church, and never prostitute around.
Pregnancy is real and STDs, sure!
Check here-
My undies have no pockets,
You know my head is small.
Back in those days when dad would say-
Son!
You know where you are leaving;
Make friends, but never lose concentration.
The castle of impossibility has taken in
Awaiting the days of possibility,
When Amelia shall make himself a bot.
It goes the other way this time.
Dad will be mindful-
Son!
"In every ten is too good"
Be good by making no friends,
Someone strange fathered the other eight.
It wasn't this way then.
Just have ambition, be good;
Have the qualification, be selected.
And there you go!
You've been elected the Local Government Chairman.
Hear my Country-
Who are you?
"I am E. L. Teddy, the true son of the soil".
Who brought you here?
"My people".
Who is your godfather?
"God".
Where do you belong?
"Church"
The Lord has done it well!
We'll get back to you.
More is in the physical than being just visible
Rejection isn't unfit
It could be a game beyond games.
And never for abnormal men,
Never for men without plan "B"
Not for men of sympathy,
Never for men of lively conscience,
Not for the poor in material, food,
Who've given their lives away, never to take them back.
We need LESS men-
The heartless,
The choiceless,
Faceless,
The reckless.
Men of the deep state who have a hidden Agenda towards everything.
“Rejection isn't unfit It could be a game beyond games.”
AUTHOR’S NOTE
I wrote The Deep State after deeply pondering on how society has changed from what it used to be in the past. Sometimes I sit down and compare the old days with the present generation, and I honestly feel disturbed by how much trust, sincerity, morality, and genuine human relationships have gradually disappeared.
Back then, parents could simply advise their children with a few words because society still had a level of sanity, discipline, and moral consciousness. But today, the world has become more dangerous, deceptive, and unpredictable. Parents now spend more time warning their children about fake friends, corruption, immorality, betrayal, manipulation, and hidden dangers because society itself has changed greatly.
I was also inspired by the political realities surrounding us. I have seen situations where qualified individuals are rejected not because they are unfit, but because they lack political godfathers, hidden connections, or powerful backing. Many things happening in society are not always as ordinary as they appear physically. There are hidden games, secret interests, and silent powers controlling outcomes behind the scenes.
Through this poem, I wanted readers to reflect deeply on the moral decline of society, the dangers of hidden agendas, and the need for wisdom, caution, and personal integrity in a complicated world.
THEMES
The dominant theme of the poem is societal corruption and moral decline. The poet compares the sincerity and simplicity of the past with the complicated and deceptive realities of modern society.
Another major theme is hidden manipulation. The poem explores unseen powers and secret influences operating behind social and political structures.
The theme of political corruption strongly appears. Qualified individuals are rejected because they lack influential connections or political sponsorship.
Another important theme is loss of trust. Parents now warn children against friendships and social relationships because of the increasing wickedness in society.
The poem also explores deception and camouflage. Many realities hidden beneath visible appearances are controlled by secret agendas.
The theme of survival equally dominates the work. The modern world appears structured for emotionally hardened individuals rather than sincere and sympathetic people.
SUMMARY
Opening Stanza: The poet remembers earlier times when parents simply encouraged children to attend church because churches were generally trusted and respected.
Second Stanza: The poem contrasts past friendship values with modern distrust where parents now discourage excessive friendships because of societal corruption.
Political Reflection: The poet examines how politics has shifted from merit and qualification to influence, godfatherism, and hidden political control.
Final Stanza: The poem concludes by exposing the existence of hidden powers and ruthless individuals controlling systems through secret agendas and manipulation.
LITERARY DEVICES
Contrast strongly appears throughout the poem through comparison between the old generation and the present generation.
Irony appears where churches, politics, and relationships no longer function according to their expected moral standards.
Symbolism appears in: “The deep state”. This symbolizes hidden systems of manipulation and unseen control.
Pun appears in: "In every ten is too good". This is used for a poetic flow. It is a figure of speech where a word is used to suggest two meanings at the same time. Here, the word “too” is intentionally used to sound like “two.”
Dialogue strengthens realism and emotional connection between parents and children.
Imagery creates vivid pictures of corruption, rejection, loneliness, hidden powers, and broken trust.
Metaphor appears in: “The Castle of Impossibility”. This symbolizes difficult societal structures limiting success.
Allusion appears in references to church systems, morality, and political screening processes.
Repetition of “Son!” emphasizes parental concern and emotional caution.
Satire appears in the political questioning section exposing godfatherism and manipulation.
MOOD/TONE
The mood is reflective, disturbing, emotional, philosophical, tense, and cautionary.
The tone is reflective, critical, philosophical, warning, and socially confrontational. The poet speaks with disappointment toward societal decline while encouraging awareness and caution.
STRUCTURE
The poem is written in free verse with irregular stanza arrangement.
The structure progresses gradually from family advice to political criticism and finally to philosophical exposure of hidden societal systems.
The conversational movement between parents and children creates realism and emotional depth.
The irregular structure reflects the unstable and unpredictable nature of modern society itself.
The spoken word quality strengthens the dramatic social commentary presented throughout the work.
Some sections contain satirical political interrogation while others remain deeply reflective.
KEY LINES EXPLAINED
“All churches were churches and God, the Omega.”
The poet reflects on a period when religious institutions were more trusted and spiritually respected.
“Locate a living church”
This suggests that not every church today is spiritually genuine.
“In every ten is too good”
The line symbolizes increasing distrust and moral decline within society.
“Someone strange fathered the other eight”
The poet metaphorically describes societal wickedness and corrupted upbringing.
“Who is your godfather?”
This exposes political systems driven by influence rather than merit.
“Rejection isn't unfit It could be a game beyond games.”
Failure or rejection may result from hidden manipulation rather than incompetence.
“We need fewer men. The heartless, the choiceless, Faceless, the reckless.”
The poet describes the ruthless nature of individuals operating within hidden systems of power.
LESSONS FROM THE POEM
- Society has changed greatly from previous generations.
- People should exercise wisdom and caution in relationships.
- Not every rejection means failure.
- Hidden agendas often influence political and social outcomes.
- Personal integrity remains important despite societal corruption.
- Discernment is necessary in modern society.
Spoken Word Moment
“Who are you? ‘I am E. L. Teddy, the true son of the soil’”
CONCLUSION
The Deep State is a philosophical and socially reflective poem examining moral decline, political manipulation, hidden societal structures, and the growing complexity of modern life. Through contrast, satire, symbolism, and emotional reflection, the poet exposes the invisible forces shaping human experiences beneath visible appearances.
The poem ultimately encourages wisdom, caution, discernment, and personal integrity in a world increasingly controlled by hidden agendas and silent powers.
It stands as both a social commentary and a reflective warning to modern society.
READER’S CONTEMPLATION
- How much of society is truly controlled by visible structures?
- Has modern civilization lost the moral simplicity of earlier generations?
- Can sincere individuals survive in systems driven by hidden agendas?
From the Desk of E. L. TEDDY
"Not every rejection is failure. Some battles are hidden far beyond what the eyes can see."
If this poem challenged your thoughts about society, politics, and hidden realities, share your reflections in the comments, share this piece with others, and follow and subscribe to the blog for more thought-provoking poetry by E. L. TEDDY.
Before you leave, you may also enjoy:
Comments