Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Day 6 - April PAD

From Poetic Asides:
http://blog.writersdigest.com/poeticasides/
For today's prompt, take the phrase "Don't (blank), (blank);" replace the blanks with a word or phrase; use the new phrase as the title of your poem; and then, write your poem. Some possible titles might include: "Don't walk, run," "Don't fight, dance," "Don't turn around, they're right behind you," or whatever else you can think to create.

Don’t be a fool, stay in school

Lockers and letterman jackets,
cell phone chargers,
Air Jordans,
Drama (the class?)

Bloom’s taxonomy and critical thinking,
learning-focused strategies,
Adequate Yearly Progress,
Testing (standardized?)

Secrets and notebook doodles,
bathroom passes,
Ford trucks,
English (WTF?)

Data and acronyms,
cumulative assessment,
reading comprehension,
Rubrics (or checklists?)

Football and basketball,
skipping sixth period,
Polo shirts,
History (what boyfriend?)

Merit pay and evaluations,
learning accommodations,
attendance protocol,
Professional development (pedagogy?)

Graduation.

Yes, there exists a
disconnect.


Don’t Sip, Gulp


A slutty arrow seduces my money to its empty slit
as pleas of withdrawal float on the alcoholic breath of my small sedan.

Thirty thirsty eyes watch me balance a silver tray on my head.
On it is a glass pitcher; they want its contents poured right in.

The baby’s bottles yawn, showing ounce-length gaps between their teeth,
expecting milk hard-won from tired breasts.

Her sister’s red plastic cup chokes on a clump of warped nylon bristles
and the dried mud of six watercolor paints.

Their daddy’s belly growls in protest at half a spoonful of broth,
cold and pouting at the bottom of a bowl.

Call me a harbinger of what waits to be filled:
All these vessels, and no lids.

2 comments:

  1. Realy enjoyed Don't Sip, Gulp...powerful imagery!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks!

    I've just been reading through your blog, and I'm officially a fan of your work! "Believer" gave me chills.

    ReplyDelete