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Poetry
Modern World Slam
By chic_leo
06 September 2006
More slam poetry - this time with some sort of rhythm and rhyme! Disclaimer: This poem is a representation of my view of the world today - not a comment on religion, or a statement of my own beliefs.

“Morning, my children: This is God speaking.
Yes, you all heard that correctly: it’s me.
God.
No, don’t go crazy and phone the police,
The fire brigade and the speaking clock.
I want you to sit tight, and listen to me.
Children, speculation is no justification
For extermination, or as you play it, eradication,
just as you have no obligation
To bomb down on entire nations
when they have enough complications
As it is!

See? I can do this slam thing too!

And there may be weapons of mass destruction,
But the only ones destructing and causing disruption
In countries where there are already ructions
Are you! Hah!

What happened to the world of my creation?
Where was this all-important deviation
That led to such a lack of civilization?
You may blame it on Americanisation,
But I put the blame on an infatuation
You all have with total domination
Which leads you to a lack of toleration.
So I’m introducing a new regulation:
If you want redemption and emancipation
You’ve gotta start learning ‘bout co-operation
Instead of eradication try collaboration
Cos if human kind don’t end this association
With hate and killing and peace violation
Without a hint of procrastination,
You’re going to learn ‘bout eternal damnation!

That was just a little something I wanted to run by you.
Have a good day now children, and just for once
Try to play nice.”

Reviews
Very Impressive
Written by Josie (2849 comments posted) 6th September 2006
I had just signed out when your poemd bounced up after mine. So very different, of course, but excellent! I really think that God must be absolutely fed up with what mankind is doing with His world. Try having a nice peaceful day out in the country and then come home and watch the news. What a contrast! You must have searched the dictionary for all those -ations! ha ha

Written by Phil (7008 comments posted) 6th September 2006
I liked your idea/s and the concept, not new, but freshly put. I really liked the beginning and end, but the bit in the middle grated. This may be just me, but all those ions were just too much. I suppose it makes a change from rhyming couplets, but didn't work for me. Perhaps others will read it differently.  
 
I'll show my ignorance and ask, what's slam poetry? 
 
Phil.

Written by chic_leo (15 comments posted) 7th September 2006
Thanks to both of you for the feedback! 
 
Phil: I understand about the ions - not the kind of thing I usually write, but it was what came out on the day, and I went with it. As for your inquiry about slam - firstly, slam poetry is a form of performance poetry, so what I write are, in a way, the transcripts of pieces I would like to perform. The form is noted for its invlovement of the audience - the label of slam poetry comes from poetry slams, in which poets have to compete for votes from the audience, so the voice of the poem is very important. Nowadays, the form is closely associated with the rhythms and lyricism of hip hop music. I'm not very good at the moment. 
 
Hope that whistle-stop explanation helps! For the best example of slam, check out Taylor Mali's website - you can listen to sections of his poetry for free. I think you might particularly enjoy What Teachers Make! 
 

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