Pain and suffering are an inevitable part of the human condition; feelings of empathy and sympathy are the benchmark of human decency. However, with the mass production of shocking images, we may become desensitized and lose our sense of humanity. This idea is explained in David Axelrod's lyric poem "Once in a While a Protest Poem", using specific word choice and repetition to express changes in the makeup of humanity. Since it is a lyric poem, it is known that David Axelrod is the speaker. For an American living in 1976, the press must have been a vital means of receiving information, which at times could be more than deplorable. Axelrod makes good use of synecdoche by refereeing the bombardment of information by the media with “Over and over the newspapers print” diminishing the magnitude of what the information provides (Axelrod 1). He is also good at relating to his audience, realizing that they too have experienced the numbing of the senses with lines such as “harden/us, teach us to ignore,” “only reminding us that we are not so hungry” (Axelrod 6-7, 12). The use of the first person plural establishes a deeper connection between poet and audience. Although Axelrod establishes a connection with the reader, he is particular in his choice of words, choosing them carefully to ensure his meaning and the idea of ​​inclusion of those who read the articles and exclusion. of those suffering from famine. A great example of this would be her choosing the word “tit” instead of a kinder word like breast, and then proceeding to add scary adjectives like “withered” and “shriveled” (Axelrod 2, 5). The effect this word creates is the dehumanization of those who suffer, as “tit” often refers to the breast of an animal; make sure that the anguish... at the center of the paper... also goes hand in hand with the structure of the poem; determining a certain rhythm through punctuation and line breaks. It is precisely this rhythm that brings out the repetition and clash of elements, especially with brackets, which allows us to look at the element of hunger while considering the reaction of the press. The final line of the poem “Our sympathy as real as silicone” is an exceptional simile. this does much justice to the poem (Axelrod 15). Silicone is not only artificial, but resistant to temperature, water and chemicals; which means that even when we observe the calamities of the world, we can put them aside and take comfort in our lack of suffering. Overall, Axelrod produces a discordant piece that comments on the narcissistic indifference that can be exercised by humankind; transforming the terrible into something banal and almost annoying for its iteration.