Unorthodox Teachings from a 3 Year Education

Though my content differs, this poem is written in an attempt to imitate the style of Amiri Baraka’s “Preface to a Twenty Volume Suicide Note.” His poem shows the stark contrast in the search for fulfillment in a monotonous world. Even the title shows polarity between the action of committing suicide, and a twenty volume note which suggests hesitation at taking this action - perhaps in the hope of finding something worth living for. The poem uses five-line stanzas with one-line breaks in between. The turn comes at the end when the writer realizes his daughter, with nothing he doesn’t have, has found her own fulfillment.

Lately, I’ve been wondering how

Grown ups came to be grown up.

They cover their eyes when they weep

And only behind locked doors

Do they scream and yell.

In hiding places, they find respect.

And when I go to the grocery store,

I hear angry toddlers screaming

And see sad children crying.

And the excited ones knock into me

As they run past.

All the mothers apologize.

Tomorrow I’ll see

the same faces I saw today.

Maybe I’m in love with him, maybe I don’t like her,

And maybe I think what you’re saying is bullshit.

But I’ll smile and nod and powder my nose

With the makeup that is politeness.