midnight intolerance
some kids came by the house
on the fourth of july weekend
looking for signatures
they explained that hornets
had been moving into the neighborhood
and they’ll be damned
if they’re going to sit idly by
before a few turned into a swarm
I told them I wasn’t going to sign
their damn petition
that I liked the hornets
that I even kept some out back
I locked the screen door
and walked away
ignoring their name-calling
concerned how my outer walls
just became prime targets for
midnight egg throwing practice
october two thousand sixteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
“I even kept some out back.” Ha, that made me giggle.
Really, you are so very clever. I enjoy your writing immensely and look forward to you posting every day (feeling disappointed when you don’t).
This is the first time I’ve noticed the “id” inside of “idly.” So thank you.
“for midnight egg throwing practice” … I like the way you tied the closing line back to the title, “midnight” perhaps representing skin color, or perceived-darkness of any kind. Also, this line draws out the fact that you are only practice, the real target being “midnight,” whatever (or whomever) that might represent.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this piece. I did remove the tag you had referenced because I felt it really didn’t truly represent the intention of the poem. Thanks again.
Interesting look at human intolerance. ❤
Thanks, Olga. I suppose you could substitute the word intolerance with ignorance just as well.
Very true!
No respect for personal choice.
Thank you for commenting and sharing your thoughts.
great work and so vivid
Thank you very much, Lara.
❤
We feel that this could happen for other things than hornets… and that eggs are just the first step
yes indeed…without question!
I like the attitude and response! 😉 I intensely dislike petitions… they rarely achieve much.
Hello Suzy and thanks so much for visiting here again and commenting on this particular piece xo