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Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash. Leonard Cohen

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Who's Gonna Save Them?

Stole the cash from Mama's purse
To buy the test after school
Along with a candy bar, nail polish, and lip gloss
To look casual, you know, like she did this all the time
Cut her morning classes to pee in peace
After Mama went off to work

Who's gonna save them
Now that they're here?

Wrapped the bad news in toilet paper
Hid it in the trash
Passed her boyfriend a note
He hung his head and slammed the dirty cafeteria table
Later he offered to marry her
If she wanted
Or give her the money
To do something else

Who's gonna save them
Now that they're here?

She tried to keep her head up and walk tall
They called her "whore" and "baby killer"
Pushed pamphlets at her with pictures she didn't want to see
She told herself she'd come back another day
But she never did
The sting of Mama's hand across her face hurt the worst

Who's gonna save them
Now that they're here?

submitted for WD Poetic Form Challenge, The Bop, at Poetic Asides

The Bop is a poetic form created by Afaa Michael Weaver. It is a poetic argument made up of 3 stanzas, each stanza followed by a refrain. The first stanza (6 lines) states a problem, the second stanza (8 lines) explores or expands upon the problem, and the third stanza (6 lines) presents a resolution to the problem or tells of the failure to resolve the problem.

8 comments:

Maggie said...

The form is incredible. The subject matter is heartbreaking.

Dave King said...

Powerful and to the point, though not a poem to enjoy! A difficult task amazingly well executed.

Unknown said...

it seems like your creativity is infinite.
such juicy and chew-able words.


very powerful writing.

Unknown said...

Greetings:

How are you?

Check out our short story slam today,

We love creativity, your contribution is invaulable to us.

Cheers.
Happy Saturday.

xoxox

Brian Miller said...

damn. glad i did not miss this one...the refrain is haunting...the story heart breaking...and her hope for the future...ugh...

Fireblossom said...

*sigh*

I feel for that girl.

Madeleine Begun Kane said...

Wonderfully powerful! Excellent poem!

Anonymous said...

It's amazing how much of intensity can be packed into three deceptively simply structured stanzas. For some reason it reminds me of Tracy Chapman's songs.