Jan 2017
An open letter
to those poets
who align
to the center:
When prose sits in the middle
it resembles gift-card drivel.
It cheapens your work;
your use of italics irks.
Choose a side.
I don’t care if it’s
left or right,
Or center-right
or alt-right
(whatever that is).
The indecisive
have a lot to answer for
us being divisive.
Did that centered
poem you wrote
distract you from
casting a vote?
Stop fence-sitting
in-between
and enjoy a
splintered 2017,
from one side.
to those poets
who align
to the center:
When prose sits in the middle
it resembles gift-card drivel.
It cheapens your work;
your use of italics irks.
Choose a side.
I don’t care if it’s
left or right,
Or center-right
or alt-right
(whatever that is).
The indecisive
have a lot to answer for
us being divisive.
Did that centered
poem you wrote
distract you from
casting a vote?
Stop fence-sitting
in-between
and enjoy a
splintered 2017,
from one side.
Disclaimer: I have used my dislike for center-aligned poems as a device to be 'political'. I understand this is a stylistic choice and I do not mean any offence to poets who prefer this layout. My opinion on this matter is dwarfed by my political frustrations.
If non-voters feel uncomfortable reading this poem, that is precisely the intention.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/omribenshahar/2016/11/17/the-non-voters-who-decided-the-election-trump-won-because-of-lower-democratic-turnout/#2991af3440a1
And yes, this was a nightmare to format on Hello Poetry. It is less of a mess in a Word doc. Still a mess though.
If non-voters feel uncomfortable reading this poem, that is precisely the intention.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/omribenshahar/2016/11/17/the-non-voters-who-decided-the-election-trump-won-because-of-lower-democratic-turnout/#2991af3440a1
And yes, this was a nightmare to format on Hello Poetry. It is less of a mess in a Word doc. Still a mess though.
