I used to write poetry more, but subscribed to the thinking that rhyme, meter—structure itself—was death. This poem began with the first four lines (imagine me stressing about finding work in 2009 were the inspiration) and I liked the way they sounded. I forced myself to work in this tight little structure, 3 syllable, rhyming lines, to keep the thought going. Bored, no money, might as well scribble. Idea-wise, this is similar to Fearkiller. This would be fun to shout really loud.

EconoMe

Fuck off fear

Not this year

Lick me gloom

Suck me doom

Whole new world

Now unfurled

Together

We weather

Chapter next

All perplexed

One plus one

Now is one

Maybe five

Or a dog

Didn’t rhyme

(Wasn’t time)

Some obsess

This process

Status quo

Time to go

Protocol

Take the fall

Rigidness

You caused this

Just say “when”

CNN

Quit gasping

And grasping

Stop crying

Start trying

Get to work

No more shirk

Ownership

Stewardship

The future

Isn’t yours

Self-employed

Real annoyed

With panic

And manic

Clarity?

Rarity

Ride the slide

Surf this tide

It’s scary

Yet very

Alluring

And during

The chaos

All of us

Will let go

Also grow

Don’t worry

Reality:

You and me

Will survive

Time to dive

It’s okay

Brand new day

Aliens

Make great friends

In my dreams

This all seems

Logical

Practical

Thing to do

Overdue

I apply

For you my

Poetry

Gadgetry

Stupid jokes

Friendly folks

Energy

Honesty

Chivalry

Revelry

Whatever

Forever

— Chris Maley