by BAR poet in residence Raymond Nat Turner
Word is that president-elect Donald Trump still has performance openings for next week's inaugural. In the selfless and noble spirit of public service, our poet kindly offers his own services, and anxiously awaits a response from Rump tower.
A Poet's Proposal for DT's Inauguration
by BAR poet in residence Raymond Nat Turner
Bet you wonderin’ how I knew
Few are willin’ to perform for you?
I heard it through the grapevine
Also on TV, radio and online…
I ain’t A-list—
F-list, maybe?
Not a seven-figga n**** or War House Hoet in the
Retinue the Drone Ranger plays like plastic kazoos—
Yet, I’m willing to serve, sir:
Call it Patriot Act III!
Willing to audition, practice, rehearse—gratis—
get on the back of a Greyhound bus, brown bag,
greasy fried chicken, like the good ol’ days…
Apply a plastic smile, applaud on cue, shuffle, shake hands with
Strong-arm Williams, Sheriff Stephen Judas Clarke, Thom-ass
Clarence, and other warlike Bassackwards Tribal leaders
I’m willing to get William Withers with you, sir:
It’s my appointed duty
To let you use me
Get me in a crowd of right-wing racists and act real rude to me—
‘Cause I wanna spread the news:
That if it trends this good gettin’ used
Come on, use me ‘til you use me up—
My fifteen-minutes of FLAME!!
Raymond Nat Turner is an acclaimed poet and performance artist. Find more of his work at http://upsurgejazz.com.
Anne Venhuizen is an attorney in The Bronx Defenders' Impact Litigation Practice.
Christopher Bruce is Policy Director of the Georgia ACLU.
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