It was time to read our lines, and the tipsy one went first.
And when she was through the class gave round applause,
While I scratched my head in wonderment and confusion.
Her poem was all rhyme and hickory dickory dock and goo.

The teacher gushed, “How profound!” her eyes wide wet,
As if she’d seen Jesus kiss Mary right on the publican steps.
But looking around me, eyes stared starry, dazed, stunned,
While I scratched my head in wonderment and confusion.

Her poem was all rhyme and hickory dickory dock and goo.
Who could manage this? Couldn’t they see it right through?
She’s smoking (don’t know what) and mirroring us hypnotic,
While our leader bubbled frantic praise so not to miss a drop.

And when she was through the class gave round applause,
For she too was awesome and fearless and saying her truth.
But to me, the joke was too cruel, the penalty unfit the crime.
Unwittingly, I wandered through the doors of alt poetry 101.