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David Lehman: Poem in the Manner of Polonius

May 12, 2011 by PBQ

Neither a follower nor a leader be.
Vote, but tell no one for whom you voted.
Do not avoid jury duty. Avoid a fight,
but if attacked, fight back with all your might,

and don’t try to fuck a girl on your first date.
Kiss her good night and call the next day.
Memorize verse, laws, and amendments
to the constitution. Obey the ten commandments.

Eat when hungry, have a drink when you need one,
and remember to have fun
at least once a week, and not to forget whose son
you are. Take your vitamins. Sign no one’s petition.

Travel light, and don’t forget a sweater
when you wander in the dark talking aloud
to a mother or a lover though no one’s there.
Look up at the sky, and see god in a cloud.

Filed Under: Contributors 76, Issue 76, Poetry, Poetry 76 Tagged With: Contributors 76, David Lehman, Poetry, Poetry 76

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