DECEMBER 30
At 1:03 in the morning a fart
smells like a marriage between
an avocado and a fish head.
I have to get out of bed
to write this down without
My glasses on.
.........................
My interpretation:
MAY 20
At 7:03 in the evening a Quorn nugget
smells like a marriage between
fried chicken and an egg roll.
I have to get off the bed
to zoom into the kitchen with
My begging face on.
Labels: poem parody
THIS IS JUST TO SAY
I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast
Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold
.........................
My interpretation:
THIS IS JUST TO EXPLAIN
I have eaten
the cereal
that you left on
the table
and which
you were probably
going
to finish after you answered the phone
Forgive me
it was delicious
and you left the bowl where I could reach it
and it was getting soggy anyway
Labels: poem parody
FOG
The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
.........................
My interpretation:
DOG
The dog comes
on little dog feet.
He stands barking
over any conversation
until you feed him
and then he calms down.
(I admit, not my best work. Let's just say it's a metaphor for global hunger. Feed a dog, feed the whole world.)
Labels: poem parody
I keep you from going to sleep too soon
Or if you sleep too late
I'll wake you up. Whine any hour
Of night. Come barking up the hall.
Jump on the bed. Scratch on the door.
I make you get out of bed and come
And light a light and let me out.
I tell you the northern lights are on
And make you look. I tell you clouds
Are doing something to the moon
They never did before, and want to show you.
I'll see that you see it. I'll pester you till
You're half as wide awake as me
And you throw on a robe, wondering why
You ever went to bed at all.
I'll tell you the walking is superb.
Not only tell you but persuade you.
I know you're not too hard persuaded.
[based on "Summons"]
Labels: poem parody
Stopping by Woods on a Drizzly Morning
Whose woods these are-- they're mine, you know.
My house is over that way, yo;
But you can watch me stopping here
To sniff the slowly melting snow.
The neighbor man must think it queer
To pause and check the atmosphere
(But it's a task I won't forsake)
The dampest morning of the year.
I give my floppy ears a shake,
My doggy senses all awake.
The forest creatures still asleep
The fog: a blanket, quite opaque.
I think I heard a nuthatch cheep.
But to my mission I must keep,
Miles to explore before I sleep,
Miles to explore before I sleep.
Labels: poem parody
(with apologies to Richard Brautigan)
My sister is afraid of umbrellas. I'm not
afraid of anything and I thunder around
like a barking machine
that's just finished slaying
the world's biggest dragon.
Labels: poem parody