target practice

one of the interesting things about having a blog is getting feedback from strangers all over the country and around the world. i often wonder how these people stumble upon my tiny little corner of cyberspace... are they devo fans? are they friends? teachers? bounty hunters?

their comments have mostly been laudatory, but my recent post, "second coming" inspired an anonymous commenter (the best kind!), to question the appropriateness of sharing my stream-of-consciousness "rap/poem" with my students. (check out my response in april's archive.)

since that post sparked some debate, i decided to try it again! here's the latest "pap" (poetry/rap) i wrote and shared with my students. we were studying dialogue, and i encouraged them to "eavesdrop" on people in public places and transcribe the way people talk to one another. (my piece includes some quotes i heard in chicago at 4:00 am, after the el train unexpectedly broke down...)

i throw a rhyme like a strike!
"hey, batter, batter--SWING!"
you know it's time for a fight--gray matter battling.
you're too tired like a bike--you're foul like traveling--
step off the mic or get tossed like a javelin!
you're gambling, and that's a poor habit,
"i just want to know how long a moment is on your planet?"
"dagnabbit! i wanna go home! get me off this train!"
ain't got no minutes on the cell phone...
call a taxi and relax in the back seat,
you're another wack MC like kenny g on the sax.
j-see into the FUTURE SHOCK, herbie hancock
can't stop my band rocks, stand-off in the sandbox!
suit yourself. whatever's clever.
don't ever say i didn't tell you any better!
you're light as a feather, stiff as a board,
my words and letters mightier than your sword.
give to the poor the gift of the lord:
T.G.I. friday, by the way, check the scoreboard--
6 to nothing--a skunk in the making...
no more bluffing, no more pump-fake, funk-faking!