Another edition of 2014 Poem A Day — per Robert Lee Brewer’s Blog Poetic Asides
I wrote this poem very fast, maybe as long as three minutes. It may sound difficult to do, but once you become comfortable with spilling your guts, it really is easy to write something bold and lyrical very quickly. All you need is that inspiring vision and a sense of pace and rhythm.
This whole idea that only physically strong men are tough is an idea I’ve run with in the novel I am working on. It is more than the more economic guns versus butter argument. It is not about money; it is about doing the right thing when needed; it is about being a human being.
I walked downtown Saturday (this is 6:30am Monday) and noticed the square was full of dog shit. Big clumps of steaming crap. The benches were full of bums with their hands hanging out, not even bothering asking for money. Just drop in a toonie Bud so I can buy a coffee. You haven’t had a coffee in a decade. Anyway, on the other side of the bandstand, a young man walked toward me being dragged by two pit-bulls. His hood was over his eyes and his jeans were down to his knees. His black dollar-store sneakers looked like clown shoes. Real toughness. This was a real man, a real winner. This was the shit-ball I wrote about the day before. This was the vision of humanity that haunted me for three minutes and returned the next day to soil my path.
Here is Robert’s prompt.
For today’s prompt, make a statement the title of your poem and either respond to or expand upon the title. Some example titles might include: “A Date Which Will Live in Infamy;” “Guns Don’t Kill People, I Do;” “This Is Your Brain on Drugs;” “Smile for the Camera,” and “Be Kind Rewind.” Of course, there’s an incredible number of possible titles; pick one and start poeming!
The Toughest Men Are The Biggest Babies
It is easier to put a man down than to bring him up
Especially if you are a man
Who has been on his knees
It is easier to shove a fist into a guy’s face than
Throw your heart at a woman
When you have never been loved
It is easier to walk by a child than
Face his tormenters
When you see yourself in their faces
Café Moi 