i sing of Alex slender and brave
interjected self to save
a woman pushed
pepper-sprayed
oh, if Alex had only stayed
home (and watched the news)
but instead
armed with phone
(and holstered legal gun)
he reached out to help
(as any nurse would
caring
for the
SUFFE-
Ring)
BAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAM
agents counted bullet holes
as Alex lay dying
(minneapolis crying)
This week’s W3 challenge is to write a poem that is inspired by another poet.
My favorite poet has long been e. e. cummings. His poem, i sing of Olaf glad and big, is a powerful story that leaves me with a knot in my stomach every time I read it.
Do I love that poem? I love its power. I love its grittiness. I love that poetry can produce a knot in my stomach, and still make me want to read it again.
Hot Dogs and Marmalade 
Tragic irony here Sally, you have also created power and grittiness and that horrible knot – formed for me from disbelief at inhumanity… 💞
It’s a terrible thing. I can’t believe what we’re witnessing.
Beautiful and powerful tribute ❤
Sally this is wonderful!! I believe this is a wonderful example of what protest poetry can be – a mirror held up to the collective conscience! You’ve done e.e. cummings proud and kept the memory of Alex Pretti alive!
Sally, I feel a knot in my stomach when I read “BAMBAMBAMBAM.”
~David
As we all should
💔
Sally, your piece was so well written, I knew immediately that this was in the style of e.e. cmmmings. Such visceral writing …. a stark reminder of the shameful events in Minneapolis.
Thanks, Nancy. Your words mean a lot.
hi, Sally❣️
Just wanna let you know that this week’s W3, hosted by our beloved Nancy, will be live until Monday, April 27:
~David