Next time the cops “whaddaya doin here”
and you wanna
…………………………..break out of the script
try telling them………….. “writing poetry”
Long pause
Stone face
You’re
observing – absorbing – noticing – staring –
lazing – loafing – goofing – linking – juxtaposing –
brooding – figuring – suffering – writing
If you really wanna crack the script
…………………..show them your poetry
ambiguity – ellipsis – paradox – irony –
personification – meiosis – oxymoron –
sesquipedalianism – litote –
catachresis
As the script fragments
insist “These fragments I have shored against…”
Until one says, “It doesn’t rhyme
………………………..and you’re back on script:
“Dispatch – responding to 10-14 – 10-26 signal 13 – a soap dodger –
need a 10-29 – trip zeros – a mope – Adam Henry – affirmative 647(c) –
hookem and bookem? – no paper – stick time – sucking air syndrome –
curbside counseling – catch and release – 10-4”
which all comes down to
“Move along. You can’t write poetry here”
“The sidewalk or America?”
Keep this last part to yourself —
you can’t pen poems
………………………………….in handcuffs
Posted for dVerse Poetics: Revolution on July 21, 2020 by merrildsmith.
Episode 3 of the PoJo Show — a podcast mixing poetry, spoken word, music, and sound — is now up on the Sound Files page and on my YouTube channel.
Jedediah Smith 
You really do want to see a human being’s head explode, don’t you. lol Vision’s of The Robot on “Lost in Space” are coming to mind: “Does not compute.” I do like your idea of flipping the script. Revolutionary poetry on every corner.
I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Write the fucking poem.
Hah!
Interesting use of lists, shape, space and punctuation, Jedediah! I like the ‘almost-dialogue’-ness of this poem, but how distressing are the lines:
“Move along. You can’t write poetry here”
and
‘you can’t pen poems
………………………………….in handcuffs’.
I grew up on those “composition by field” poets of the 60s. Sometimes, they take over my writing and layout.
a fascinating blend of recent events with a touch of humour in these lists of creativity, love it!
Thank you.
PS it wont let me ‘like’ it!
I will take it as liked then. I am old enough to still value my knowledge over my computer’s.
right attitude!
I really liked this. I want to see a long line of poets protesting, handing out poems.
I kept picturing Woody Guthrie’s guitar.
Gotta love Woody.
Indeed.
Hit em where they least expect it…(K)
Clever! Powerful! And that last line!!
Thanks!
So real. So important to know when to say nothing. Lesson learned late.
Oh yes.
This is brilliant!
Many thanks!