Happy Poetry Friday!
I’m here with a mix of poetry and art to raise consciousness for the US Midterm Elections. My illustration accompanies my poem which was inspired by Calef Brown’s prompt on Michelle Heidenrich Barnes’ blog site Today’s Little Ditty. We were to write a poem or tale “that tells the story of two anthropomorphized objects.” Mine are letters, but I added a third voice in for kicks. Haven’t yet had a chance to post it at her site as the art is fresh off the drawing table. My art is also for #Inktober, which I have been partaking in all month.
L’EVOLUTON OF A POEM STARRING LETTER “L”
& INTRODUCING LETTER “K” AND “M”
Lovely letter “L” set out to compose a
List poem
But got sidetracked…
LLLLLLLLLLLLL,
He rolled the sound around in his mouth,
Looked over his shoulder, cleared his throat–
There’re too many lackeys not voting in the ‘lections.
Calling all lackeys for the last time to line up
And
Stop Lollygagging
Stop Lowbrowing
Stop Logjamming
It’s time for:
Lifting your voices
Loud and clear
Letting all know–
Pssst,Excuse me, Letter “L”
Remember you were going to introduce us…
Oh la la la la la,
Which one of you can lockup this next ‘lection–
Me cried letter “K”
I’m kooky, kinky
Never kvetchy or uh klutz,
and last
I’ll help secure your kingdom.
Look at Meeee cried letter “M”
I’m always
Longing to Link Lively
Voters to a Lifetime of
Voting!
Letter “M” please step out of line
You’ve unlocked my lonely, lingering heart.
Together we’ll unleash
New love for the ‘lections,
Together we’ll lead the voters,
Together we’ll leave all lads and lassies longing for
The politics of the left,
And law and order will
Once again lead our lovely land!
Pssst remember, pull that LEVER and VOTE!
© 2018 Michelle Kogan
Thought I’d share with you some pics and a video from the #Women’sMarchChicago March to the Polls that I attended last Saturday. It was in a word, INSPIRING. The message: to get out the VOTE; and one of the very special speakers, Heather Booth, who founded JANE in Chicago also added the importance of after and before to continue to ORGANIZE! Volunteering was mentioned a few times, talking to people in your own neighborhood and who may have similar views as yours but may not plan on voting or need a nudge–encouragement–letting them know their vote is important and needed!
#SwingLeft was represented there also and many other dynamic and fine speakers.
Here is your Charge–
If you are a citizen in the US
do your civic duty for the November Midterm Elections,
Go And
VOTE!
Brenda Davis Harsham at Friendly Fairy Tales is hosting this weeks Poetry Friday Roundup. She’s offering up a haiku about bees which is very tasty, so be sure to stop by–Thanks for hosting Brenda!
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting, & Writing 
I’m not American, but we’re in the midst of municipal elections, so I’m in a voting state of mind too!
Yay for voting everywhere!
Hooray! Your poem is lively and funny and makes a point all at the same time. Wonderful pics of the march. I still love, “Grab ’em by the Ballot Box”
Thanks Linda–Yes I like that one too!
Love that you can bring some fun to the ‘lection. Thanks for the smile at a time when it seems the whole world has gone crazy.
Hi Sally, it does seem like it’s crazy out there–so that makes it even more important to Vote–hope my message encourages some to take part!
Love the “too many lackeys not voting in the ‘lections.” just hope it’s not true! I received my ballot in the mail, will work on it in the am (it’s long this time), & send it off! And thanks for sharing your photos, too, and for marching! I am nervous about Nov., will do what I can!
Hi Linda, I thought some light humor might encourage those reluctant voters–hope it does–Thanks!
Such a clever response to this month’s TLD challenge! L is quite a character with an impressive vocabulary! I love your poem and its message. I am quite nervous about these mid-term elections but will surely be voting! Thanks for sending out this voting message in such style!
I’ve been told that there are enough democrats in our district to cause a landslide vote, If they all voted. Getting the vote out has never been more important! Your letters are very clever. I love their characters.
I thought I’d try to participate in Inktober more myself but I’ve only managed a couple of drawings. Thanks for sharing your illustration and poem, I thought it was an interesting, quirky poem. Voting is definitely a big thing, let’s hope for a little change coming up.
I’m writing some postcards to voters this morning myself. Can’t stop until it’s done! Thanks for sharing your poem, art, and photos!
I’m swooning over this post, Michelle. Hand drawn letters again!! Your poem is so much fun — great idea to use humor to drive home a serious subject. Thanks for sharing the rally pics too!!
Love your fun treatment of this very important topic, Michelle! L’s enthusiasm is contagious and so is yours. I’m so happy that we have another voter in the family this year—every vote counts!
I can tell you had fun with word play in this poem, Michelle. Lollygagging, lowbrowing, logjamming. Such lovey consonance and assonance!
Michelle, you knocked this poem and artwork out of the park. Can you get this into the public eye somehow? Flyers to pass out? Voices to rap your poem? Your voice needs to be heard as an uproarious cry to vote. Before I read your poem, I chose M to lead the march. Yeah to the letters and their voices. Wonderful work!
Let’s hope the letter L gets all those lackeys to the polls! I love the fun, encouraging tone of this (and your clever artwork, too!)
YES! Perfect letter with a perfect message. ❤
Thanks Kip!
Love it!
Thanks Shelly!
Well done and well said! VOTE!!
Thanks Mary Lee!
Yes, yes, and yes! One of the things that gives me hope is the upswing in voter registrations. I hope many people follow through and vote!