SOMEWHERE A POET scratches out a line.
Somewhere a teacher says Take up your pencils.
Somewhere a secretary says Ow my wrist hurts.
Somewhere a clerk says Welcome to Burger King how may I help you.
Somewhere a chicken waits to cross the road because he says I must see what is on the other side,
Stands on the brink on the brim on the cusp on the edge on the side on the border.
Praise the poet for speaking with the voice of the people.
Praise the poet for writing a poem that speaks as the people speak.
Praise the people for speaking in the words of poets.
Praise the people for standing still politely.
Praise the poem for avoiding rhyme and rhythm.
Praise the poem for being written in prose.
We shall have no poetry here.
You have crystallized the dreams and aspirations of a nation.
Yes I CAN
Yes we Can
Yes we do
Yes we see
Yes I’m me
Yes vitamin C
YES YES YES
BLESS BLESS BLESS
Poet Fo’ it
Speaks what we
Aim to be
NO NO NO
There’s too much snow
Global warming
Start informing
How we must
Start to trust
A president
who talks some sense
Are you thrilled?
Or just chilled?
Better stop now
Sad to say, I followed this better a lot better than that poet. I’m sorry, but she ain’t no Maya Angelou.
Underperforming Maya Angelou is no mean feat, but this “poet” seems to have accomplished it.