The Measure Of A Man

Spoken Word piece. Won four awards with this one.

still he comes with the speed of a locomotive and the precision of buck shot

 

the measure of a man

y a r d s t i c k   

      or                  ruler
 

which is crueler...

 

quantified by the end result

in fluid ounces

or  calories burned?

 

 

 

is he a 2, a 4, a 26?  off the charts at 2,010, his head will swell and he'll do it again

 

 

the measure of a man
from 5-foot-one
        to
six-foot-four
is the black and white height chart
by convenience store doors
 

 

it's the ching-ching-ching
of the change in his pocket
it's the rodney king beat down
it's the size of the rocket
it's the stupid f*****g rim size
on the tires that he owns
it's the full size qwerty keyboard
on a half size telephone

 

and the magnitude of the mass must equal the proportion of the depth to the breadth to the second power

 

and it must tower
(not cower)
in the shower               be bold when it's cold         and NEVER ever

 

get old

 

there's a size 42 3-piece suit in the closet and it fits him it'll always fit him because it fits you it fits into the picture you painted with a stolen brush and magenta periwinkle blue chartreuse fuchsia girly colors and every time he looks at it hanging in the 12 by 16 foot walk-in closet he had built for you in the 3200-square foot house on 2 acres at 64 Highmaintenance Lane he is reminded that it takes exactly 2 to tango and you aren't dancing anymore you aren't holding him around the waist anymore you aren't stepping on his size 12 feet and laughing anymore you're just counting down the days to the next victoria's secret sale the next granite countertop stainless steel matching coach bag spray on tan touch screen blackberry starbucks acrylic nail tea cup  sweater-wearing chihuahua clearance sale 

76 5 4 3 2

 

1

 

the pin stripe suit with the red satin lining will never get worn if he has anything to say about it but after he's dead and 6 feet under he'll have nothing to say about it  he sees it hanging there every time he opens the closet door he knows you love it because you had it specially made

 

 

measured

 

for a man

 

whose days are numbered

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[W.k.kortas]

If you're going to play around with form with malice aforethought, you'd better damn well have a good reason. Happily, this does; the whole notion of measurement is played with here in many ways on several levels. There is effective and judicious use of repetition, and the formal tricks and variations are used with real purpose. So many people play with form just to be modern or post-modern or whatever the hell else with no purpose in mind. They could take a lesson from this piece.

[Cassiopia Summers]

I like this. Very good work. It read well and flowed good. Nicely done!

[Mr Dunne Poetry]

Wow, this is really clever. I am seriously impressed. Very cool, indeed. Thanks for sharing :)

[Frieda P]

I've not ever read anything quite like this before, kind of in awe. It's got loads of moxy, your style is off the charts crazy good. Enjoyable visually also. Kudos.

[Alana McGuire]

I was literally speechless when I read this. I was beginning to think that no one had really read the rules of the contest until I reached this piece. I am in complete adoration of your words and the format and the context and just everything about about it. Thank you greatly for entering it in my contest. It was a pleasure to read. :)

[Nobody.]

I love the overall attitude behind this.
very cool.
cheers!

[Bill Grimes Jr.]

You still have it my friend......I have missed you and Writers Cafe.....I had to venture to the moon and the stars for a brief sojourn......It's great to be back. :-)

[Angela H.]

So cocky! And the precision of buck shot. All those tiny pellets gathered together, bringing down the stag.

[Butch Decatoria]

Excellent as always.

I dont get online much, but had to pass by and read abit of your stuff, great as always. Hope all is well and thanks for sharing.

--PF

[arbitrary jane]

oh lord, YES.
this is ferociously, teeth-in-the-flesh-and-not-letting-go, right ON.
the form is masterful, the ranting is delivered with pinpoint accuracy, and the flow is intense.
the fading down to 1. so small. and alone.... absolutely.

[Lorraine]

Uniquely written. The structure itself delved into different styles and used powerful, and well-delivered phrases. It gives poetry a whole new kind of flexibility and creativity.

Keep Writing. ^___^