Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 (Tek) 9/28/84 based on 9/17/84; site tekecs.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!orca!tekecs!waltt From: waltt@tekecs.UUCP (Walt Tucker) Newsgroups: net.bizarre Subject: Re: Poem Message-ID: <5608@tekecs.UUCP> Date: Fri, 16-Aug-85 19:11:50 EDT Article-I.D.: tekecs.5608 Posted: Fri Aug 16 19:11:50 1985 Date-Received: Mon, 19-Aug-85 21:31:55 EDT References: <9866@ucbvax.ARPA> Organization: Tektronix, Wilsonville OR Lines: 41 > > > Invocation to the Cockroach God > > O ancient immortal cockroach god > who swaggered untouched > from the white blaze of Hiroshima, > sneered and shrugged > at such higher depths of progress > and then bummed a jaunty cigarette, > defend your people. > At the back of back alleys > and the close of closing in rooms > we've spilled beer and blood to you > and there's never enough of either. > The tidy torture is upon us, > be with us now, you who are born > miraculously in penthouses and slums, > you from whom there's no escape. > We are as hated as you, make us as strong. > A cop should be no more to us > than the expensive man who sprays you > and scares off the people > for three days while you dance. > Teach us your dances so jails will fall down > and merchants will stop trying > to pull us from their stoops > like crabgrass growing in cement. > We invoke the cockroach god, > the immortal enemy of everyone > the untouchable that touches everyone, > the laughter scurrying among ruins > like us. > Like us. > -- author unknown I really don't know who this is, but the style seems to mimic Sylvia Plath (post-wwII poet through late 40's and 50's until she gassed herself) -- Walt Tucker