On this July 4th, don’t forget:
Click It or Ticket!
No unauthorized fireworks are allowed on private farmlands.
Always wear a helmet.
This message has been brought to you by the Advertising Council of Caring America.
It’s a brand new day, and we are working overtime to take care of you, your family, and your community.
Happy Independence Day!
Yeah, I know the picture is not American. But it fits so well.
Dear Ms. Poet:
by Julie Buffaloe-Yoder
We have received
several complaints
about your poems.
After careful review,
your poems have been
intercepted pursuant
to Section 910729 slash
80 dash 56A of the
United States Health,
Serenity & Security Act
due to the following
violations:
Your poems are loaded
with trans fatty acids.
People have been seen
smoking your poems
in bars.
Your poems might bite.
They do not support
two party politicians.
They may discharge
and be used by gangs
or minors during prime time.
Your poems wear nose rings
and speak with an accent.
They attempted to smuggle
contact lens solution
onto an airplane but refused
to answer questions
at the hearing.
Your poems disturb the peace.
They play fiddles after midnight
and are thus categorized
as hate speech.
Your poems contain
Christo-centric symbolism
and do not honor
The State.
Your poems generate more
than 1.5 cubic meters
of trash per can
and did not pay their
global warming tax.
Your poems organized
underground readings
for people working
in the commercial
fishing industry.
Your poems do not fit
as a whole into any
of the sanctioned themes
for poets of your particular
gender, race, age or class
(see Addendum A).
You must choose one.
All future poems must be
registered with the Bureau
of Sensitive Creativity or
face further penalties.
Registration packets
may be found online
at http://www.yourstate.us.gov
or at your local university.
We are sure this was merely
an oversight on your part
and you will correct
this problem
immediately.
making a statement in poetry? Yes!
have a great fourth
What a perfect poem for the occasion!
Yeah, boy, you’re gettin’ oppressed there, you poor downtrodden blogger. Fight the power.
Scot, Brigindo & Derek: Thanks for dropping in. I can’t wait to set off many illegal fireworks tonight. Pyromania and all that stuff. Have a great weekend!
As a non-American, this pretty much sums up everything I have to say against the US. And what I love about the country is you are not “punished” for writing such stuff. There would be riots and burning and lashing in many other countries.
Hope you had a great independence day!
Hello, Rash:
You are so right. We are extremely fortunate. Basically, this poem is what I don’t want to happen. Every day, I see more and more erosion of our freedom, and it worries me.
I’m not bashing our good friends in London with the picture of the security camera next to George Orwell’s apartment, because I wouldn’t doubt it if we ended up with them, too. That really freaks me out. When I showed the picture to a few people here in the US, their attitude was, “Well…it’s for safety.”
Maybe I’m just insane.
But I do love this country, warts and all. Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I will check out your site, too. Take care & have a beautiful day.
I love how I can graze the poems here and each one is a gem. This one begs to be spoken.
Thanks, Nathan. I appreciate your kind comments. I’m big into freedom…and of course, artistic freedom.
Amen.