Slam+poetry

How To Write A Politcal Poem. By Taylor Mali

However it begins, it's gotta be loud and then it's gotta get a little bit louder. Because this is how you write a political poemmedia type="youtube" key="hDbrsLIU5PY?fs=1" height="295" width="387" align="right" and how you deliver it with power. Mix current events with platitudes of empowerment. Wrap up in rhyme or rhyme it up in rap until it sounds true. Glare until it sinks in. Because somewhere in Florida, votes are still being counted. I said somewhere in Florida, votes are still being counted! See, that's the Hook, and you gotta' have a Hook. More than the look, it's the hook that is the most important part. The hook has to hit and the hook's gotta fit. Hook's gotta hit hard in the heart. Because somewhere in Florida, votes are still being counted. And Dick Cheney is peeing all over himself in spasmodic delight. Make fun of politicians, it's easy, especially with Republicans like Rudy Giuliani, Colin Powell, and. . . Al Gore. Create fatuous juxtapositions of personalities and political philosophies as if communism were the opposite of democracy, as if we needed Darth Vader, not Ralph Nader. Peep this: When I say "Call," you all say, "Response." Call! Response! Call! Response! Call! Amazing Grace, how sweet the— Stop in the middle of a song that everyone knows and loves. This will give your poem a sense of urgency. Because there is always a sense of urgency in a political poem. There is no time to waste! Corruption doesn't have a curfew, greed doesn't care what color you are and the New York City Police Department is filled with people who wear guns on their hips and carry metal badges pinned over their hearts. Injustice isn't injustice it's just in us as we are just in ice. That's the only alienation of this alien nation in which you either fight for freedom or else you are free and dumb! And even as I say this somewhere in Florida, votes are still being counted. And it makes me wanna beat box! Because I have seen the disintegration of gentrification and can speak with great articulation about cosmic constellations, and atomic radiation. I've seen D. W. Griffith's Birth of a Nation but preferred 101 Dalmations. Like a cross examination, I will give you the explanation of why SlamNation is the ultimate manifestation of poetic masturbation and egotistical ejaculation. And maybe they are still counting votes somewhere in Florida, but by the time you get to the end of the poem it won't matter anymore. Because all you have to do is close your eyes, lower your voice, and end by saying: the same line three times, the same line three times, the same line three times.

Poetic Devises: Alliteration: Because this is how you write a political poem and how you deliver it with power. (p sound) Personification: Corruption doesn't have a curfew, greed doesn't care what color you are Motif: In Florida, votes are still being counted. Tone: Humours The theme of the poem is what is wrong with American politics. During Taylor Mali's poem or rant he touches on may topics such as the flawed voting system in Florida, how being American means you either fight for freedom or you're free and dumb and how corruption happens all the time and anyone and everyone can be consumed by greed no matter what color or race you are. These are all things that have to do with American politics. The flawed voting system ties in directly into politics, the nation is divided on whether or not to go to war (Afghanistan) and greed and corruption have been with politics from the very beginning ( I'm not saying all politicians are corrupt). This is what is wrong with American politics how they are or can be at times flawed. I chose this poem because I found it funny how Taylor Mali exaggerates everything to the extreme but still manages to keep that grain of truth. It is this, how he makes fun of politicians (Dick Cheney is peeing all over himself in spasmodic delight) and his insane ranting that made this poem so enjoyable for myself.