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HTTP Kodu 301 Kalıcı Olarak Taşındı
301 durum kodu, istenen kaynağın kalıcı olarak yeni bir URL'ye taşındığı anlamına gelir. Gelecekteki tüm istekler yeni adresi kullanmalıdır.
Kod 301 ne zaman kullanılır?
- Bir web sitesi alan adını değiştirirken
- URL yapılarını değiştirirken
- SEO için yönlendirmeleri ayarlarken
Kod 301 kullanıcı için ne anlama geliyor?
Tarayıcı kullanıcıyı otomatik olarak yeni adrese yönlendirecek ve arama motorları dizinlerini güncelleyecektir.
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<div class='post hentry uncustomized-post-template' itemprop='blogPost' itemscope='itemscope' itemtype='http://schema.org/BlogPosting'>
<meta content='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNM4iwasi5_WV7UTPrkhZBTc5IpLBdI_zXazvA_swswOrbwLz9XR1pa5RglZI1r8rK-M59b9PXU01NWhw3gD3YuJiQ-bnTmfSzgeNinSvodufze7VZReY-VEnGaeDtqhdeCG81CquHa7A/s1600/BimAngstRainbow4PNG.png' itemprop='image_url'/>
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<h3 class='post-title entry-title' itemprop='name'>
<a href='https://www.poets.net/2014/10/bicycle-commute-bim-angst.html'>Bicycle Commute (Bim Angst) </a>
</h3>
<div class='post-header'>
<div class='post-header-line-1'></div>
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<div class='post-body entry-content' id='post-body-7699757259472659126' itemprop='description articleBody'>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNM4iwasi5_WV7UTPrkhZBTc5IpLBdI_zXazvA_swswOrbwLz9XR1pa5RglZI1r8rK-M59b9PXU01NWhw3gD3YuJiQ-bnTmfSzgeNinSvodufze7VZReY-VEnGaeDtqhdeCG81CquHa7A/s1600/BimAngstRainbow4PNG.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNM4iwasi5_WV7UTPrkhZBTc5IpLBdI_zXazvA_swswOrbwLz9XR1pa5RglZI1r8rK-M59b9PXU01NWhw3gD3YuJiQ-bnTmfSzgeNinSvodufze7VZReY-VEnGaeDtqhdeCG81CquHa7A/s1600/BimAngstRainbow4PNG.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo mash up:<br />Author Bim Angst with her bicycle<br />___________________________</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It was the first day.
Not the first day of the bike commute, but the first day of that year’s bike
commute. It was the first day of a renewed but not a new commitment.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Top
ten reasons she liked the bike commute. But today it was a fat tire, not the
sleek little Pinarello she so loved. The asphalt was wet. It has been a month
since she was on a bike. She has been taking care of the man. He is laid up
with both legs in immovable casts and he needs taking care of, which he knows and
allows — not that he has a choice. But which he is seeming quite to like.
Somebody else is doing the taking care of today. When she began the taking care
of him, it mattered to her greatly — surprise surprise — that she be the one to
do all the most very important of the taking care. It mattered to her that he
like she was the main one taking/giving the care.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But
today. So, it didn’t really matter which bike on which she did the commute.
Editing will be needed. Wet asphalt, time away, strength in her legs diminished,
who knew what loss in lung capacity. She made the sensible choice.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Order
them ten to one. Whatever is at the bottom of a ten reasons list everybody will
assume is number one anyway. Why is it usually ten? Top ten. Ok. That sounds
nice. Two syllables both starting with hard Ts. Alliteration. Double, equal
accent. Remember to harvest the sage. Not a dactyl. Not a trochee. That was
three. Not an iamb. Something. Doesn’t matter. Look it up anyway.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ten.
Containment. Things aren’t getting out of hand. It will not go on forever, it
will end, maybe shortly. That’s a splice. What was it they said, she read in
some journal, about even very bright people being able to remember/handle a
maximum of seven things at once? She doesn’t let them use the slash words. But
they’re useful. Except when you read out loud. You have to make that chopping
gesture in thin air. Point of view shift.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So
why ten? Why not seven? Top seven reasons. Slow ones can’t cope with even
seven. Three. Sometimes two.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Maybe
don’t number the list. Just start in. By the third (numbering again), everybody
will just get it’s a countdown. They always seem to confuse it’s and its. Who
is this everybody? Not everybody reads. Especially those young people. Does
texting count as reading? Sexting?</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Number
7. Can’t help the numbering. Need order. Need structure. Even if it is imposed
and does not organically take shape. Number 7: Because I live in a beautiful
place. Every place is beautiful. Everywhere has its beauties. It’s a frame of
mind. It’s a bike frame of mind! Bike frame, get it? Road surface doesn’t have
to count, unless it’s good. They always ask her not to count the bad stuff. We
live in a beautiful place.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Grit,
potholes, washout, lots of broken glass. Beer bottles. Always beer bottles.
Passing traffic, some bleeping horns right when they come up behind and scare
her the way somebody can make you jump saying <i>boo </i>loud right in your ear
when you don’t know they’re back there. They’re their there. They’re there in
your hair.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Be
fair. 100 pass. Maybe two honk. 98 is a good percentage. 200 pass, maybe one
yells <i>nice ass</i>. Hot old bike chicks agree, honking means <i>you have a
nice ass</i>. Flipping the bird means <i>you have a nice ass</i>. Yelling <i>nice
ass </i>means <i>you have a nice ass</i>. Throwing a can means <i>you have a nice
ass</i>. Getting out there on the bike means. No matter how slow you go. You’re
out there. The kingfisher is out hunting today!</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5000
pass maybe 1, if that, pulls up revving fast in a white sedan with a license
plate you cannot read with your single distance no bi/trifocal goggles. Zooming
revving up behind, laying hard hard hard on the horn, cruising alongside 30
yards still hard on the horn and then pulls off the horn and yanks hard to the
right right in front to slam on the brakes and see if you smash into his back
bumper and then he can complain you hit him or do you drop and burn sliding on
the side of the road. Peels out. Waves goodbye. Flips the bird. Can you really
hear him laughing? Why is it always a guy?</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Maybe
drivers think tooting the horn is a nice way to let you know they’re back
there. Think that. Be generous. It is a beautiful place. One in maybe 5000,
maybe not even. A lot more assholes when you drive the car. Road rage. Every
stinking day rage. Especially on 422. It makes headlines. Often. People get
arrested waving guns out there. Cara carries a gun on the bike. Yo, as Pat
says, what’s <i>that </i>about?</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
mountains. Never again move out of the mountains even though they’re harder
when you’re on the bike. That which does not kill….Nietzsche. Pretty sure.
There seems to be some capricious shifting going on.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Number
6: Because it makes me feel virtuous. This will not make the list, at least not
this way, but such is what revision is for. One can revise one’s self into
something like intelligence. Vonnegut, right? Credit. And a good heart. Clean
thoughts. Burning calories not fossil fuels: Number 6. Why oh why do I keep
forgetting to bring a snot rag?</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Number
5: Half the day’s exercise is done before work. The other half is pretty much a
given and you can’t crap out without embarrassing yourself now that you’ve
announced you’re commuting by bike. So there. Stronger, better half sticks
childish tongue out at weak, lazy, evil half. This is what is meant, partly, by
commitment. Once you’re in so far, there’s no turning back. Except if you don’t
proclaim intent, ain’t nobody know you didn’t ’ceptns you. Do you like you?
Sometimes. Maybe a little bit most days. Most days. Not all. On the bike
always.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Four
miles, maybe five. Kicking in. Cooking cooking cooking. Booking booking
booking. Number 4: It feels good! Number 1? Good chemical stew. Bathing in
endorphins. Simmering in the marinade. Mixing metaphors. Synapses snapping.
Burning off the toxins. Clarifying the butter. Does clarifying butter get rid
of any of the cholesterol? Something about the brain. Which is connected to the
heart. Real. Figurative. Metaphoric. Metaphysic. Is that a word? Think it and
you alter capabilities.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Number
3: Get rid of cholesterol. Or some such stuff about health. It’s good for you.
Me. Her. The cyclist. Cyclists in general. Anybody. Everybody. The general
public. At least that which reads. Are people who read less obese?</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Number
2. Don’t go there. What will be number 1? Stop those juvenile thoughts. You
can’t skip number 2 and number 1 (even if you leave off the numbering) if
you’re doing a top 10/7 list. What’s Number 3? Jiz? Giz? Comes/cums from gism?
Jism? How is that spelled? Eat a good/better breakfast before you get on the
bike. Everybody loves jiz. But. Butt. Here we go again. If they only knew.
Don’t even think about Top Ten. Two Ts. T.T. Titties. I used <i>titties </i>in
a story! Tits and ass. T&A T&A T&A.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Number
1: It’s good. It’s all good. Can you say that? Will anybody anywhere have any
idea at all what all you mean? Good is relative. (Even if you don’t have good
relatives, or what you think are good relatives. But that’s relative to. Too.)
Come back. Stop circling. Cut through the mall/plaza parking lot and completely
bypass the bottleneck. Right turns. That’s how FedEx does it. It is FedEx,
right? UPS? Look that up. They won that award. For right turns. Get it right,
right/correct, if you’re going to use it. Your going to use it. Feel free to
make mistakes in a draft.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Number
2. Going back behind the Giant where the trucks unload is kind of like looking
at the bowels of the American retail industry. Not deep into the bowels because
then you’d have to get into the packing houses and sweat shops, the places
where they wear white plastic suits and rubber gloves, condoms, where they wear
galoshes because they’re slopping around in blood and guts, ear plugs so they
don’t have to hear the screams, face masks so they don’t sneeze on the meat you
eat. That rhymes. Does rhyme kill it? This is why you eat vegetables. (Evil
twin inside, we know you so dearly love a good grilled steak, but we forgive
you, you’re/your only human.) Try to be humane. Try harder.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Don’t
think on this too deep. Deeply. The language is alive. Adjective. Adverb.
Either okay now depending on how you look at it. No lumpers here. Do they have
big hooks? (Did you read that as boobs or books?) Who unloads the trucks? The
drivers? The stockboys? They’re not all boys anymore. But they are, aren’t
they, still boys in that sense/way. It’s a different culture back here.
Culture. Apply to everything. Like it. But that’s number three. Or number four.
I like it. It makes me feel good. Same thing? Give up what makes you feel bad.
Even if for a very short time it makes you think you feel good. Remember
butter.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Number
1: You get to wear fluorescent green and shocking pink. Petty but true.
Important. That sweet daughter who as a little girl got so very very
angry/indignant when someone else picked out clothes and made her wear them.
Minor but first first first. Even if you don’t put it there. Everybody should
get on a bike. Pedal off this fat. There is no such thing anymore as a
prosperous gut. Nobody under the age of 40 even knows what that means. Sweat.
Smile. Get lean. Smile some more. Do it. Just do it (Nike ad). When you smile,
you change the chemistry in your brain. Say hello. Change the world. Ha. Smell
the neighborhood. Smell your own sweat. Sweet. They confuse that too. Sweet
sweat. Sweat sweet. That’s a command. Listen to the voices. Make conversation.
Cut pollution. Give up cars, have a little fun. Change the world one pedal
stroke at a time. Really. It’s true. It’s all true.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Number
1: It takes more time. Maybe that’s the point. Press the button for the
automatic door.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
the intervening time, she talked to very young people about commas, something
she did that no longer seemed important in the same way it had seemed important
when she first started talking to young people about things like commas, though
now that it didn’t really matter if she did it well it was said she really did
do it pretty well. How many words can you take to say something? But now the
main point was not the commas but the way it pays the bills that pay for the
rest.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 175%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .25in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
so today, not yesterday, as she sat down to the computer, she thought she
should have written it yesterday, when it was all there in her head whole and
perfect.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 175%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 175%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%;">________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 175%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 175%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 175%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%;">BIM ANGST lives with a small pack of big dogs and bicycles
from Saint Clair, PA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 175%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 175%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%;">“Bicycle Commute” was originally published in <i>Pennsylvania English</i>, issues 33/34,
Spring 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 175%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 175%;">________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="line-height: 175%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Bicycle
Commute,” © 2012 by Bim Angst, has been posted on Poets.net with permission
from the author and may not be reposted or republished without permission.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<h3 class='post-title entry-title' itemprop='name'>
<a href='https://www.poets.net/2013/12/auld-lang-syne-robert-burns.html'> “Auld Lang Syne” (Robert Burns)</a>
</h3>
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<div class='post-body entry-content' id='post-body-6108892675713058180' itemprop='description articleBody'>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b style="line-height: 150%;">Here is the modern version of “Auld Lang Syne”:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
Should old
acquaintance be forgot,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
and never brought
to mind?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
Should old
acquaintance be forgot,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
and old lang syne?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in;">
CHORUS:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
For auld lang
syne, my dear,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
for auld lang
syne,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
we’ll take a cup
of kindness yet,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
for auld lang
syne.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
And surely you’ll
buy your pint cup!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
and surely I’ll
buy mine!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
And we’ll take a
cup o’ kindness yet,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
for auld lang
syne.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in;">
CHORUS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
We two have run
about the slopes,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
and picked the
daisies fine;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
But we’ve
wandered many a weary foot,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
since auld lang
syne.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in;">
CHORUS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
We two have
paddled in the stream,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
from morning sun
till dine;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
But seas between
us broad have roared</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
since auld lang
syne.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in;">
CHORUS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
And there’s a
hand, my trusty friend!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
And give us a
hand o’ thine!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
And we’ll take a
right good-will draught,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
for auld lang
syne.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in;">
CHORUS<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
_______________</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/i4pN0zn16jk" width="400"></iframe></center>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><br /></b>
<b>Here is the original Scottish version of “Auld Lang Syne” (Robert
Burns, 1788):<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
Should auld
acquaintance be forgot,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
and never brought
to mind?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
Should auld
acquaintance be forgot,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
and auld lang
syne?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in;">
CHORUS:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
For auld lang
syne, my jo,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
for auld lang
syne,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
we’ll tak a cup o’
kindness yet,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
for auld lang
syne.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
And surely ye’ll
be your pint-stowp!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
and surely I’ll
be mine!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
And we’ll tak a
cup o’ kindness yet,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
for auld lang
syne.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in;">
CHORUS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
We twa hae run
about the braes,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
and pu’d the
gowans fine;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
But we’ve wander’d
mony a weary foot,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
sin auld lang
syne.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in;">
CHORUS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
We twa hae paidl’d
i’ the burn,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
frae morning sun
till dine;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
But seas between
us braid hae roar’d</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
sin auld lang
syne.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in;">
CHORUS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
And there’s a
hand, my trusty fiere!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
and gie’s a hand
o’ thine!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
And we’ll tak a
right gude-willy waught,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
for auld lang
syne.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in;">
CHORUS</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
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<a href='https://www.poets.net/2013/12/a-christmas-story-in-waiting-excerpt.html'>A Christmas Story: “In Waiting” (Excerpt With Link to Full Story)</a>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pregnant Woman: <b><a href="http://www.fda.gov/ScienceResearch/SpecialTopics/WomensHealthResearch/ucm251314.htm">FDA.gov</a></b><br />Background: <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nativity_tree2011.jpg" target="_blank">Jeff Weese (Wikipedia)</a></b><br />____________________</td></tr>
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Say, you’re right. This place could stand a few decorations.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;">
Maybe a Christmas
tree, some lights strung above the bar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;">
Next year for
sure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;">
Don’t know about
a Manger scene, though. Can’t picture competing with Baby Jesus in my own
casino.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;">
Just had the
Grand Opening last week. Bad timing, I know, but that’s how the chips fell. I
suppose I could’ve waited for the New Year’s crowd, but why not get a jump on
my customer base?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;">
Another Virgin
Mary, coming up. That’ll be two bucks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;">
Say, my prices
are cut to the bone as it is. Down at Wally’s, that drink would’ve cost you three
bucks, maybe more. Don’t know how he gets away with it.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: .25in;">
‘Course I’ll
close for Christmas tomorrow. I’d fear for my immortal soul if I was to allow
gambling and carousing in my casino on Christ’s birthday.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.lifeisabrand.com/2013/12/a-christmas-story-in-waiting-jennifer.html" target="_blank">Read the rest of the story here.</a></b></div>
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(Disclosure: this story is written by Jennifer Semple Siegel, the webmaster of this site.)</div>
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<a href='https://www.poets.net/2013/07/goetrycom-poetry-on-go.html'>Goetry.com -- Poetry on the Go</a>
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Just got this idea for a simple site, completely mobile friendly, for poetry on the go--no images, just poetry for mobile phones.<br />
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I'm not sure how this can happen...<br />
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Keep watching this space...
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<a href='https://www.poets.net/2013/06/the-life-giving-tree-robert-owuodihia.html'>The Life Giving Tree (Robert Owuodihia)</a>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Remixed photo, original by Jim Bahn</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">From <b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:General_Sherman_tree_looking_up.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
_____________________________________________ </div>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
She gives us breath</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
She gives us life</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
She takes us through the strife</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
And protects us here on earth</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
Against global warming</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
Against ice melting</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
Food she gives us</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
Shelter to protect us</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
Clothing to clothe us</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
And medicine to cure us</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
Yet of her immense contributions</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
We do not show her our appreciation</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
A tree we must each grow</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
Before death shall crow</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
For if the last tree dies</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
The last man too dies</blockquote>
</blockquote>
_________________________<br />
<br />
<i>Robert is an 18-year-old Ghanaian and a 2013 graduate from Achimota Senior High School in Ghana. He is a science major who loves literature.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>He enjoys writing poems and has written over 80 of them.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>He is currently seeking a publisher for his work.</i>
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<a href='https://www.poets.net/2013/05/excerpt-from-bettys-child-memoir-by.html'>Excerpt from <i>Betty’s Child: a memoir</i>, by Donald R. Dempsey, and Review: “Saving Benji” (Chapter 12)</a>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsdAKYH7vQoj8h75eOL1QodJRJXg1MdlGWTPN714MdFzkKCkTlftjSy890DM-nyiRXV2d69z87bwJCQtGo7aANZcUKVIRE_vLoXC6kLzoYfPpBtcZ7sYmaGlwqzrfSRCuPkEQDpG9EoU/s1600/BettysChild--MergedPhotos3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsdAKYH7vQoj8h75eOL1QodJRJXg1MdlGWTPN714MdFzkKCkTlftjSy890DM-nyiRXV2d69z87bwJCQtGo7aANZcUKVIRE_vLoXC6kLzoYfPpBtcZ7sYmaGlwqzrfSRCuPkEQDpG9EoU/s320/BettysChild--MergedPhotos3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donny and Chip. Terry, Donny, and Chip (Donny's lap)<br />
__________________________________________</td></tr>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>(Webmaster’s
note: previously, Donny [author] and friends Rupe and Tommy pulled off a
rather ballsy heist of returnable-for-cash soda/pop bottles from a gang of
bikers. After waiting for the heat to subside, the kids are now on their way to
Kroger’s to cash in on their spoils. Donny’s little dog, the ever-faithful
Benji, accompanies the merry band of juvenile thieves. A review of </i><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bettys-Child-ebook/dp/B00BOL69ZO/" target="_blank">Betty's Child: a memoir</a></b><i> [available on Amazon] follows the excerpt.)</i></span></blockquote>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">____________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This was a shitload of
bottles. Rupe was standing guard on the first three carts we’d hauled to the
back of the Kroger, and Tommy and I had barely managed to get the rest of our
treasure in the last two we were trudging along with now. So far we’d dropped three
bottles. Their shattered remains lay in the roads behind us as a testament of
our passage, along with the echoes of Tommy’s vehement cursing. Tommy told us
those broken bottles had our names on them, every time one shattered against
the concrete.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">My Negro
buddy was an extreme penny pincher until he actually had the cash in his
pocket. Tommy would probably be a collector for Candy one day. He could be
persuasive when it came to getting money out of you, whether you owed it to him
or not. He was definitely worse if you owed him. So far, he’d never paid back a
dime he’d ever borrowed from me, but never forgot to get back a single penny on
the rare occasions he had to float me a quick loan. <i>If he’d stay in school,
he could be one hell of a tax guy,</i> I imagined.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Crossing
Second Avenue was tricky, due to traffic and the greater risk of a cop catching
sight of us with stolen—we’d call them <i>borrowed, </i>if we got busted—shopping
carts and more pop bottles than a… Well, than a house full of Harley bikers
could go through in a month. These were more bottles than we’d ever brought in
before, way more. My end of the payback was going to push my stash of hidden
funds to well past fifty bucks. I was practically rich.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I was
glad we’d left Rupe back at the Kroger. Tommy wouldn’t stop riding him about
not going out on our little missions anymore. Rupe had stayed true to his word.
He was done stealing, and Tommy could pound sand. I had to admire Rupe for
standing up. He wasn’t talking back to Tommy, but Rupe wasn’t giving in,
either. He just shook his head and said he was done every time Tommy brought
the subject up.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It
wasn’t that Rupe wasn’t getting on my nerves a little, too. He’d kept on
griping about getting the bottles out of his dad’s garage until I’d almost lost
it on him. I’d been for taking them in a little at a time, but Rupe wanted them
all out as soon as possible. He was afraid his dad would find them and figure
out what we’d been doing. Knowing that was possible didn’t make Rupe’s constant
bitching any easier to take.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">But
when Tommy had started pushing to exchange the bottles, too, claiming he needed
the money, I gave in. I needed to keep those two apart. Rupe was a coward, but
even he had his limits. I didn’t want him popping off to Tommy, getting
something started that he couldn’t finish, and I couldn’t delay. Tommy was
taking our friend’s decision to cut out as some kind of betrayal, making it a
personal thing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s
going to be an interesting school year,</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">
I realized. Tommy kept guys off our backs. It went without saying that he
wouldn’t protect Rupe any longer. In fact, I was pretty sure Tommy would
probably send some grief Rupe’s way, as sore as he was. I would have to do my
best to help my more hapless friend any way I could. <i>How?</i> The last thing
I needed was to relive those dreadful days I’d spent running home after school
every day, dodging enemies, and ducking fights.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I
waited for a lull in the traffic and darted off
the curb. “Stay close, boy,” I told Benji, but I didn’t need to remind
him. He kept right on my heels all the way across, with Tommy just behind him.
Some asshole in a long, expensive-looking sedan beeped at us. Tommy flipped him
off and told him where to go, so we were cracking up as we reached the other
side of the road and the nearest parking lot of the Kroger.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Benji
was with me because I was afraid to leave him alone after the row with Tony and
Betty. That dude really hated me, and I couldn’t depend on my mother to protect
my dog if her Italian hump buddy decided to be mean to him. It was a rare thing
if she actually stood up for her children, much less a dog. It was making my
life more difficult, constantly worrying about that Dago, but I didn’t have a
good plan for dealing with him. <i>Yet, </i>I promised myself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Thinking
about Tony got me to thinking about my brothers. Dwelling on them made me feel
guilty. I was old enough to take off when shit got hairy, but they weren’t. <i>Maybe
that’s why Terry keeps sneaking down to the apartment playground on his Big
Wheel?</i> I wondered. Could be the kid was learning to avoid Betty already.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
baby was taking all this especially hard, clinging to me more and crying if he
spotted me trying to leave. Lately, he’d taken to sleeping on my mattress
instead of in his own room. The baby was crowding me when I tried to sleep, but
I didn’t mind. Benji complained more than I did, grumbling and huffing during
the night. Sometimes I’d wait until the little guy fell asleep and then carry
him off to his own room, but lately he’d been waking up and coming right back
to bed with me. Just this morning I’d woken up with one of his feet practically
in my mouth and pee from his diaper leaking onto my mattress.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">As
we veered around to the rear of the store, the paved lot sloped downward, and
we had to strain to keep the carts from getting away from us. Tommy laughed
when he noticed me struggling, but I was concentrating too hard to say anything
back. He would kill me if I lost control and wasted any more money. <i>Or take
the losses out of your end, </i>I told myself. But I wasn’t sure he’d think of
something like that, or be able to calculate the deductions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey,
lay off Rupe, okay?” I asked him as we reached the area where the pavement
evened out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Tommy
snorted. “Fuck Rupe, that daddy he’s so afraid of, <i>and</i> his sexy little
mom. And fuck you, too, you start taking his side and not mine.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m
not taking any side,” I told him. “I’m just trying to keep you two from getting
into it. Just let it go. We’re supposed to be friends.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Fuck
that. Friends don’t cut out on one another.” He wasn’t just annoyed at this
split. Tommy was really pissed off. <i>This is going to get ugly,</i> I
realized. “I’ll tell you something else. We get that money, and we cut it in
half. He wants out, he’s out. You like the kid so much, you give him half your
shit. But it’s a two-way split today, baby.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">That
wasn’t fair. Tommy was just using his irritation over Rupe wanting out to take
money from him.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>And from me!</i> I couldn’t think of anything safe to say.
Tommy couldn’t count very well, but he was an expert at the
one-for-you-and-one-for-me dividing of money. My worst fear was that Rupe might
speak up when Tommy informed him of his underhanded scheme. <i>Are you kidding?</i>
I asked myself. I figured that was a pretty stupid concern; Rupe would keep his
mouth shut and get this over with, relieved to let Tommy get one over on him
and be rid of the guy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Rupe
was sitting against the concrete steps as we rattled up, but he stood to greet
us. Benji trotted over and started sniffing at him, and he even let Rupe pet
him without showing his teeth. <i>Maybe he feels sorry for him, too.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’ll
go get Freddie,” Rupe announced as we arrived, eager to be away from Tommy and
have this deal done.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yeah,
you do that,” Tommy grumbled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Rupe
banged on the large metal door until Freddie finally opened it. Freddie was a
middle-aged dude who ran shipping and receiving. He had tufts of hair above
both ears and a missing front tooth.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Freddie was always asking Rupe about his
mom. She shopped at this store, getting the perv revved up about once a week or
so.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s
a load,” Freddie mumbled around his tooth, leaning on the rail and surveying
our goods from the top step.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yeah,
it is,” I agreed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I
wasn’t about to offer anything more. One of the most intricate tricks of the
art of lying was not lying when you didn’t have to. Until he asked where and
how we’d come up with so many bottles, I wasn’t about to tell him. I had a good
story ready for when he did ask.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Freddie
surprised me. “Totaled them up yet?” was his only question.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
always do that,” I reminded him. <i>And you never give us a nickel more than we
bring in, and dock us for chipped bottles,</i> I wanted to say, but didn’t. “You’ve
never trusted us to count them before.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yeah,
but this is a lot of bottles, and I’ve got a truck to unload.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He
pointed at a trailer docked in one of the bays, as if we thought he might be
lying. Freddie thought a moment, scratching at the wisps of hair above his
right ear. I didn’t think he had much longer to be scratching any hair at all.
He looked like Larry from the Three Stooges.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Thinking
about that reminded me of the wisecrack I’d used on Betty, and that reminded me
of my brothers being home without me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“C’mon,
man,” Tommy grumbled. “I got shit to do.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Freddie
ignored him. “Tell you what,” he finally said. “Sort them for me, and I’ll
count them out. Stand all the loose bottles up here divided by size.” He
pointed to the top of the steps. “Put all the full cartons at the bottom of the
steps, also divided by size. And make sure they’re full and not partials. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Bang
on the door when you’re done, and I’ll come add ‘em up.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Shit!”
Tommy cursed as Freddie left, the heavy metal door thudding shut in his wake.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Bitching
wasn’t going to get anything done. I told Tommy to start setting aside the
cartons while Rupe tossed me the loose bottles. Rupe and I got into a pretty
cool rhythm. He was flipping them up as I set them down, keeping it challenging
for me. We were grinning and making a game of it. I wasn’t going to drop a
single one. <i>Unless Rupe throws one too fast,</i> I thought, wanting him to
try it. “You clowns drop shit, and it comes out your ass,” Tommy told us. Rupe
ignored him but slowed his pace.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I
should have caught on. Later that day, I kicked myself more than once for
missing the clues. There were telltale signs something was up. For one, Freddie
never had us sort anything before. He’d always pushed our carts into the
nearest bay and had a stock boy unload them. For another, there wasn’t a peep
coming out of that trailer he was supposed to be unloading. There was no
forklift banging in and out of it or pallet jack bumping around. In fact, there
weren’t even footsteps echoing off the walls in that trailer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">And
the biggest clue of all? “Hey, Rupe?” I called out as the thought occurred to
me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Rupe
was bent over in the last of our carts. We were nearly finished. Tommy was
already done sorting cartons and was sitting on the steps having a smoke. Benji
was sitting close to him, but watching me at my work.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yeah?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Freddie
didn’t ask about your mom,” I told him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Rupe
tossed me another bottle, and I bobbled it due to my lack of concentration. We
both glanced at Tommy, who thankfully had his back to us. “Good.” Rupe’s
response was curt. We were all tense. “I don’t need that snaggle-toothed freak
worrying about her anyways.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yeah,
but he always asks about your mom,” I mused.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Then
we heard the Harleys, and everyone exploded into action. Everyone except me,
that is. A pair of bikes came thundering at us from either side of the back of
the store. Rupe ran right past the ones between us and the way toward home, his
limp barely discernible as he churned for freedom, arms pumping wildly. One of
the bikers spun around and gunned the throttle. Rupe wasn’t going to reach the
street before that dude had him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Tommy
dropped his cigarette and bolted straight across the lot, leapt as high as he
could and grabbed the top of the tall concrete divider between the store and
the backyards of some houses on the other side of the wall. He hooked his foot
on the top of the wall and flipped himself over, leaving behind only a pick
that fell out of his hair before he completely vanished. One of the bikers
roared on toward the street, meaning to head him off and catch him. That dude
might as well have been chasing dandelion fuzz in a tornado.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I
stood in place, only moving enough to get my dog to climb the steps and stay
closer to me. One of the bikers stopped right at the base of the stairs,
shutting off his engine and removing his gloves. He looked up at me, but I
stayed calm, thinking things through. I did pretty well under pressure, even
when I was scared. Naturally, I wanted to flee, but where was I going to run? I
wasn’t about to risk my dog getting run over, and they were on bikes while I
was on foot. I decided to stay where I was.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
guy near the steps had a receded hairline with dark curly hair, striking blue
eyes, and a square jaw. He was clean-shaven, which made him look younger than
he probably was. He had a deep scar near the cleft of his chin that only added
to his rugged appeal. He was the kind of guy my mother swooned over but never
figured out how to get noticed by. I thought the guy looked like some kind of
movie star, like Marlon Brando in that biker movie.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
other dude who was still here was big as a grizzly, with bare arms so hairy you
could hardly see the tattoos beneath his fur. He was bearded, but when he
pulled off his German-looking spiked helmet, he was bald as a newborn baby. His
bike was a chopper, with an extended rake attached to the front wheel and a
real high sissy bar off the seat. The big bastard glared at me with open
contempt. He flipped down his kick stand and rocked his bike backward into a
balanced, parked position.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Freddie
cracked open the door and peeked out, but he slammed it shut again when he saw
me on his landing. I heard him turn the lock. Nobody spoke, and it wasn’t long
before one of the dudes came back, hauling Rupe by the back of his shirt. My
friend looked like a kitten being carried by the scruff of the neck. The biker
puttered along, half-carrying Rupe with one strong arm while the kid stumbled,
tears in his eyes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We
still didn’t say a word. In the distance, the only Harley still running faded
in and out of hearing, but eventually grew loud and constant. I sat down next
to my dog and waited, with my heart pounding and the guy at the base of the
steps still eyeing me. He wasn’t as big as the others, and he didn’t look that
old. He was wearing an army green bandana that he readjusted on his head, and I
was positive I’d seen him before. <i>But where?</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Rupe
was still sobbing when the last of the bikers came back empty-handed. He had
shoulder-length, rust-colored hair, and a drooping mustache. He wasn’t wearing
any protective gear on his head or face, and he looked sheepish as he
explained, “I couldn’t catch him. That nigger runs like a nigger.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Then
it hit me: these guys had noticed they’d been ripped off and warned the nearest
stores to alert them if anyone hauled in a massive amount of bottles. Freddie
must have called them. If I hadn’t been so close to pissing myself, I might
have screamed out loud. <i>You are so stupid! </i>I yelled in my head. I was a
dunce for not recognizing this. Still, there was no reason to drag Rupe down with
me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“He
didn’t do anything,” I told the guy holding Rupe. His parents would flip on
him. All I had to worry about was Betty. <i>And the four bad asses surrounding
you,</i> I reminded myself. “He’s just helping us haul the bottles. You don’t
have any beef with him.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
think we’ll be the ones to say who we have a beef with and who we don’t, you
little asshole,” the bear growled at me, swinging his bulk off the bike and
standing. He wore a jean jacket with the sleeves cut off. Harley Davidson wings
proudly covered the back of his denim vest. His arms were kind of flabby, but
they were bigger around than my legs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Maybe
your waist.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> “You don’t tell anybody
shit.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Easy,
Chick,” the guy nearest me warned.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Sweet
Jesus! The grizzly’s name is Chick!</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">
What kind of shit was that? “I’m just saying, if you’re going to have the fuzz
after you for beating on children, you might as well make sure you’re smacking
around the ones who deserve it,” I offered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
guy holding Rupe started looking around like there might be a cop nearby. “Hey,
I didn’t hit the kid,” he muttered, letting him go. Rupe stumbled back a few
steps, unsure if he should try to run again. “You ain’t hurt, are you, kid?
Nicky, I swear to God, man. I didn’t hit the kid.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Don’t
sweat it,” the guy close to me told him. He tugged his bandana a bit lower on
his forehead and smiled at me. He had an okay smile for a biker. “That was
pretty good, kid.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“That
was the truth. I stole from you, not him,” I said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“So
you fucking admit it!” Chick growled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Why
should I believe you, kid?” Nicky asked. “I already know you’re a thief. Why
not assume you’re a liar too?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I
shrugged. “I am a liar, but I’m not lying right now. He couldn’t tell you jack
shit about your garage, but I can. I can tell you about the spare bike parts,
the old tires, the can of Jack Daniel’s bottles, the old calendar of naked
chicks”—<i>careful with that chick word, dumbass—</i>“and how the floor near
the back of the building stays a little wet. I can tell you this because <i>I</i>
was in there and <i>he</i> wasn’t. You saw the way his ass ran. You think a kid
as slow as him would climb into a garage with all you dudes just a few feet
away? What chance would he have of getting away? If I’d of took off when you
guys showed up, you wouldn’t have had a chance in hell of catching me. I’m
telling you… I stole your shit, not limpy over there.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“If
you could have got away, why’d you stay?” Nicky asked me, just like I’d hoped
he would.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I
pointed at my dog. “I couldn’t climb the wall with him along, and I’m not going
to risk him getting run over by one of you or getting hit by a car trying to
cross these busy streets.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“That’s
not going to matter much when I kick the little fucker to death,” said Chick.
That was my biggest fear, that they’d come at me and Benji would bite. I didn’t
want them to hurt my dog. Chick tapped a chain he had wrapped around the back
of his seat. “Or bash his head in with this.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“So
you stole all this by yourself?” Nicky asked me. I didn’t answer. “I asked you
a question, kid,” he said, his tone not mean but serious. I didn’t want to
throw Tommy under the bus, but Rupe’s ass was on the line. I shook my head. “The
black kid help you?” I nodded. He’d said black kid and not nigger. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I took that
as a good sign. “Anybody else?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yeah,
a guy named Mike Collins who lives over on Sunset,” I threw in. <i>And I hope
one of you break his legs.</i> God, I was good at this.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Nicky
rubbed at a leather wristband, musing. I could see some kind of Japanese symbol
burned into the leather, and maybe a name. But he eventually said, “Go on, kid,
scram.” My buddy stared at him like he’d told him to strip and dance a tango
instead of leave.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Rupe
looked to me, and I nodded. “Go on, I’ll be all right.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">And
I would be. If Nicky was letting Rupe go, he’d bought my story, and would buy
more. Nicky was in charge, and he wasn’t stupid. If he was letting Rupe go, he
wasn’t going to hurt me. Rupe had seen them, and would be a witness if anything
serious went down. After a last glance at me, Rupe trotted off, looking back
more than once before he went around the corner and I lost sight of him. I was
hoping he was smart enough not to go after any cops.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Nicky
<i>was</i> smart. A lot smarter than I’d first thought. “You probably think you’re
going to get off free and clear, huh, kid?” Nicky asked. <i>Well, yeah, but you
weren’t supposed to know that.</i> “I got news for you, boy.” <i>Oh shit.</i> “Just
‘cause I let your friend slide doesn’t mean you got away with shit. I’ve seen
you around, and I’m going to introduce you to an underage friend of mine in the
not-too-distant future.” Nicky smiled again, and this time there was nothing
nice about it. “Think about that on your way home.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“And
I’m still going to kick your fucking dog,” promised Chick.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Oh
shit. Oh shit. Oh shit.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> Nicky pushed
his bike back a little and waved his arm in an invitation for me to leave. “Be
seeing ya, kid,” he told me. And there was that smile again. “Real soon.” <i>Think
think think think.</i> Chick moved closer to the stairs, moving into position
to possibly hurt my dog. He had big boots with metal studs and leather straps.
It was crunch time. <i>Either start crying or say something,</i> I told myself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Come
on, kid, get moving,” Nicky said soberly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“How
about a deal?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
got nothing to deal with, kid,” Nicky returned. “We’ve got the bottles, and we’re
going to get the money for them—and you’re going to get an ass-whipping.” Nicky
leaned out a bit and spit on the Kroger’s pavement. “End of story.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“We
don’t know you from Adam, boy,” added Chick. “Now come on down here.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Then
I remembered something.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your
friend Harry knows my mother.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“How
does your mom know Harry?” Nicky asked, taking the bait.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“He
took her to some picnic you guys had out at the fairgrounds just before school
let out,” I explained. <i>Keep them talking. Get them involved in your
problems,</i> I heard Betty telling me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">They
all laughed. One of the guys sitting back said, “If she was with Harry she must
be a real winner. Dirty Harry only fucks porkers.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Nicky
wasn’t laughing as hard as the others. “You sure your mom was with Harry, kid?
Harry isn’t exactly a mom kind of guy.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Harry’s
not even a guy, he’s more dog than man,” the other biker said. They all laughed
again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I
remembered Harry fairly clearly. He had a gut and bad pock marks on his cheeks
and neck, with a bulbous nose full of more craters than the moon. He wasn’t an
easy dude to look at, and he’d scared the living shit out of my brothers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“She’s
screwed around with way worse than him,” I informed them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“What’s
your mom’s name, kid?” Nicky asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Betty.”
Just saying it made me feel dirty. I knew they would remember her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hey,
yeah,” Nicky said, snapping his fingers. “She was with that tub you were
wrestling around with, Chick. What was her name?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Nicky
kept struggling to remember, so I filled him in: “Ruby.” Saying her name was
worse than uttering Betty’s, but at least I wasn’t related to <i>her.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yeah!
Ruby!” the redhead crowed. They were losing it now, and Chick dropped his head,
chagrined.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I didn’t know if I was helping myself or writing my own death
warrant. “You were with her in the back of that little pickup and the camper
broke loose!” Even Chick cracked a grin. “You got to remember her!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
fucking remember!” Chick yelled at him, and that had them all laughing
hysterically.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Nicky
wiped tears from his eyes. Behind me, Freddie poked his head out again, but
shut and locked the door after a quick look-see.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
guess that’s a little something, kid. You got a fucked-up mother. But why
should I listen to your deal?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Because
you helped me out this summer, and the Chinese believe you’re responsible for
someone when you save them,” I explained, almost hating myself for using Tony’s
line.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
helped you out? When?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">My
goose was cooked if my memory had failed me. “You were jogging by when I was in
a fight.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Your buddy wiped my face and told me to keep my dukes up.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Nicky
opened his mouth slightly and nodded. “I remember. But that wasn’t a fight,
kid. You got blasted, and I didn’t save you from anything.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
helped me,” I pleaded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Nicky
shook his head. “Not enough. Got anything else?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This
was my last hope. I glanced at Nicky’s forearm. He had an Army tattoo very
similar to my stepdad’s. “You were in Nam. So was my dad. Well, not my dad, but
my brothers’ dad. My stepdad.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“How
do you know I was in Nam?” I had his attention now. I had everyone’s attention.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your
tattoo.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your
dad had a tattoo like this?” He held out his arm and touched his ink.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Not
exactly.” I explained the differences as best I could.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Airborne,”
Chick pronounced, and Nicky nodded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“What
happened to your dad?” Nicky asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“His
helicopter got shot down, and they sent him home with multiple shrapnel wounds.
He had a medal shaped like a purple heart, and he was nominated for a star of
some kind, but I don’t know if he ever got it.” All of that was true. I could
tell my story fit what they knew about my stepdad’s tattoo. “I have a picture
and a letter he wrote me. I’ll show you if you want.” That was true, too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Where’s
your dad now, kid?” Nicky asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“He
split.” I swallowed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Terrance
had been good to me. I had memories of Christmas with lots of toys, of playing
with him and wrestling on the bed when he’d wake me up in the morning. But
those good times had been long ago and were hard to recall.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“He
was hooked on drugs when he came back, and my mother had been fucking around a
lot. They couldn’t work it out. He split.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Nicky
was rubbing that wrist band again. He got off his bike and stooped down,
snapping his fingers and motioning for Benji to come down. I nearly shit myself
when my dog scrambled down the concrete steps and let a stranger rub on him. “You
a good mutt?” he asked my dog.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
<i>were</i> in Nam, right?” I asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“We
all were,” Chick told me. His voice had changed. It wasn’t quite as gruff. “You
don’t ride with us unless you were in country.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Okay,
kid, we’ll listen to your deal, but no promises,” Nicky said, rubbing behind my
dog’s ears.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>Great, they’ll kill me and keep my dog. </i>“That much we owe,
but for your dad, not your stealing little ass.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I
was taking anything I could get. “I was thinking I could pay you back. If you
give me a break, that is.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“And
how would you do that?” asked Nicky.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“I
could come by once a month and haul your bottles here, only instead of keeping
the money, I’ll bring it back to you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Like
we could trust you,” Chick muttered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Test
me. Count the bottles if you want. I ever short you and you can still have my
ass whipped.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Your
ass already <i>is</i> whipped, junior,” Chick promised.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Hold
on, Chick, I kind of like that proposition. In a way, we’d be doing our part to
raise the kid right. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">You know, teaching him something.” Nicky gave me the grin
I’d seen earlier, the smile that had given me hope. “Only it’ll be every two
weeks, kid. And you don’t miss. And you do it alone.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
bring a nigger around our place again, and <i>I’ll</i> whip your ass, fuzz or
no,” the redhead who’d let Rupe go told me. There was that black-and-white
thing again. Maybe Tommy was right, and there was more going down against
blacks than I was aware of.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Easy,
Monroe,” Nicky said. “You do this alone, kid. You understand?” I nodded. “This
is between you and us. Nobody else is involved, or else we end our deal and see
what happens after. You in with that?” Oh, I was in. I was most definitely in.
I nodded again, trying to stay cool and not let them see how relieved I was. “Good.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“What’s
your name, kid?” Nicky asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I
almost lied but thought better of it. I was skating on ice that started melting
an hour ago. “Donny.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Well,
Donny, I’m going to give you a free piece of advice.” He pulled his gloves back
on. Benji realized the petting session was over and hopped up a couple of steps
closer to me. “You seem like a smart kid, so take this for what you will. When
you steal from the Kroger, they have to call the police.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">They have to follow
the law. Follow rules.” He let me soak that up, watching me closely. “But when
you steal from the street, there’s a whole different set of laws to be leery
of.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“The
law of the jungle,” Chick chimed in, like we were in school and he was proud to
know the answer to a teacher’s question.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Nicky
laughed. “He’s right. You steal from somebody, or step on them any old way, and
you better know what they’re capable of.” His face hardened. “What they’re
willing to do in return.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I
nodded because he looked like he wanted some kind of response from me. “Okay,”
I said. “And thanks for giving me a break.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He
threw a leg over his bike, getting saddled up to leave. “Donny, the next time I
go to court, you’re pleading my case. Stay in school and think hard on being a
lawyer. You’re already a thief, so the transition should be pretty smooth.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I
was thinking that I’d pulled off one of the greatest escapes in the history of
mankind when Chick said, “I’m still going to slap you one and kick your dog.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I
wasn’t sure if he meant it or not. I looked to Nicky, and he only shrugged. “Sorry,
kid. He’s too big for me to tell what to do.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Lay
off, Chick,” Monroe urged. “Let the kid and his dog go home.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“You
need to shut up before I wipe my ass with a wad of that red hair,” Chick
warned.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Sorry,
buddy,” Monroe told me, sighing. “Like Nicky said, he’s just too big to fuck
around with.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Part
of me was sure Chick was only messing with me, trying to give me a good scare. <i>You
hope.</i> But another part was truly terrified that he was going to hurt my
dog. “I thought we had a deal,” I said directly to Chick.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Only
for the bottles, boy,” he said. “I still owe you for sneaking around my place.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Just
take your medicine, kid. It won’t be that bad,” the biker whose name I’d yet to
learn said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Take it easy, Chick. They’re both kind of small. You might kill
one of them.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Okay,
now I was pretty sure they were fucking with me. I held up my fingers and made
the play gun out of my hand. “Hey, Chick, can you do this?” I asked him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He
scowled at me. God, I was praying this wasn’t a huge mistake. “Why the fuck
would I want to?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Please,
just do it. Trust me, you’ll like this. If you don’t, you can hit me twice as
much as you were going to.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Go
on, tough guy,” Monroe urged.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“What
are you afraid of?” the other guy asked. “Go on. Do it.” Nicky was watching me
as Chick hesitantly obliged. “Now point your gun at the dog,” I instructed.
Chick made a face, but slowly did as I’d asked. Benji saw him and stood
expectantly, tail wagging. <i>Come on, old buddy. Save my ass.</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Now say
bang.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Chick
didn’t follow instructions very well. Instead of bang, he made a noise like a
shotgun going off, jerking his hand like his fingers had a recoil he could
barely control. Still, Benji fell over right on cue, like he’d been laid to
waste. The hair covering his eyes even made it look even better, since they
could hardly see that the dog was still watching Chick.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Our
act cracked them up, and as menacing as Chick tried to appear, he kind of
looked like a little kid when his fat head was split by one of the biggest
grins I’d ever seen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">____________________________________<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Th9Xd4CmlYSzeFvrQZbhcKPeasZnyD2TYniABmkitMLZCRR5fbtqnJ_dX5S1dJD47y7Z6GJfq7GW02XxuBv67N6xADuEij9nNGBdpGPv-6V7SYhr5jyGcxA-Qb8WMqN5PSaJc8i6YCg/s1600/Betty's+Child+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Th9Xd4CmlYSzeFvrQZbhcKPeasZnyD2TYniABmkitMLZCRR5fbtqnJ_dX5S1dJD47y7Z6GJfq7GW02XxuBv67N6xADuEij9nNGBdpGPv-6V7SYhr5jyGcxA-Qb8WMqN5PSaJc8i6YCg/s1600/Betty's+Child+cover.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bettys-Child-ebook/dp/B00BOL69ZO/" target="_blank"><b>Available on Amazon</b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bettys-Child-ebook/dp/B00BOL69ZO/" target="_blank"><b>Betty’s Child: a memoir</b></a></span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> (available on Amazon) is copyright © 2013 by Donald R. Dempsey. All rights
reserved. No part of this post may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or
by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or
any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written
permission of the author and publisher.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This excerpt has been posted
with the permission of the author and his publisher.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">First Dream of Things
edition, February 2013</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Published by Dream of Things,
Downers Grove, Illinois USA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">DreamOfThings.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Originally published by
Donald R. Dempsey in 2009.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">____________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Review of <i>Betty’s Child: a memoir</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Highly Recommended! Five
stars.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
just finished reading this book, and I’m speechless in the face of this
terrific writer. Donald Dempsey opens an artery and spills his childhood trauma
onto the page. It is a delicate dance between detail and emotion when one
writes a memoir about childhood abuse, and Dempsey dances like a pro.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">While
Dempsey offers some graphic detail, it is accompanied by the emotion felt by
12-year-old Donny—no gratuitous BS. Every detail is absolutely necessary for
the progression of his life during this time.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Readers
will be shocked by Betty (the author’s mother) and her atrocious behavior, and,
yet, there seems to be a part of Donny/Donald who loved and still loves her. At
best, his mother was a neglectful parent, at worst an abusive mother who
invited abusive men into her life, and, yet, the author offers glimpses of her
humanity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Never
have I read such a wonderful characterization of an animal (the author’s dog
Benji) in which the animal was not the main focus of the book (like in </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Marley
& Me</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">). Dempsey also creates rich characterizations of his brothers
Terry and Chip (who were only six and three at the time).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Never
have I experienced such seesaw emotions when reading a memoir: horror,
laughter, and sadness.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This
book may not be for everyone; if one is seeking a fast, action packed
narrative, this isn’t it. It’s long (438 pages), with lots of interior pain and
emotion.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">This
book DESERVES to be a best seller, and I have a feeling that the literary
community will be hearing from Donny/Donald Dempsey again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .4in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">____________________________________</span></div>
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<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Modern%20Poetry'>Modern Poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(8)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Short%20Stories'>Short Stories</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(7)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/PoBiz'>PoBiz</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(6)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/21st%20Century%20non-fiction'>21st Century non-fiction</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(5)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/21st%20century%20fiction'>21st century fiction</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(5)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/21st%20century%20literature'>21st century literature</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(5)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Academy%20of%20American%20Poets'>Academy of American Poets</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(5)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Announcements'>Announcements</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(5)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Children%27s%20Literature'>Children's Literature</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(5)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Corruption'>Corruption</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(5)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Cronyism'>Cronyism</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(5)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Macedonia'>Macedonia</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(5)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Poetry%20Critiques'>Poetry Critiques</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(5)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/forum'>forum</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(5)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/poetics'>poetics</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(5)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/16th%20century%20poetry'>16th century poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(4)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/19th%20century%20fiction'>19th century fiction</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(4)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Christmas'>Christmas</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(4)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Critiques'>Critiques</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(4)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Foetry'>Foetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(4)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Gary%20B.%20Fitzgerald'>Gary B. Fitzgerald</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(4)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Judges'>Judges</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(4)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Public%20Domain%20Poetry'>Public Domain Poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(4)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/forum%20decorum'>forum decorum</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(4)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/humor'>humor</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(4)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/oppression%20in%20poetry'>oppression in poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(4)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/private%20vs.%20public'>private vs. public</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(4)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-3'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/satire'>satire</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(4)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/18th%20century%20poetry'>18th century poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/20th%20century%20Fiction'>20th century Fiction</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/20th%20century%20literature'>20th century literature</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Admininstrators'>Admininstrators</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Anca%20Vlasopolos'>Anca Vlasopolos</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Can%20Poetry%20Matter'>Can Poetry Matter</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Celebrity%20Poets'>Celebrity Poets</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Criticism'>Criticism</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Emily%20Dickinson'>Emily Dickinson</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/John%20Keats'>John Keats</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Memoir'>Memoir</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Moderators'>Moderators</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Monday%20Love'>Monday Love</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Open%20Letter'>Open Letter</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Robert%20Frost'>Robert Frost</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Silencing'>Silencing</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/T.S.%20Eliot'>T.S. Eliot</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/William%20Shakespeare'>William Shakespeare</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/ballad'>ballad</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/contest%20fees'>contest fees</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/contests'>contests</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/folk%20song'>folk song</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/locking%20forum%20threads'>locking forum threads</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/nature%20poetry'>nature poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/news'>news</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/parody'>parody</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/self-publishing'>self-publishing</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/snark'>snark</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/surveys'>surveys</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/vanity%20publishing'>vanity publishing</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(3)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/20th%20Century%20Drama'>20th Century Drama</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Anne%20Frank'>Anne Frank</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Aspiring%20Writers'>Aspiring Writers</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Carolyn%20Foster%20Segal'>Carolyn Foster Segal</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Death'>Death</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Death%20Poems'>Death Poems</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Debate'>Debate</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Difficult%20poetry'>Difficult poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Edna%20St.%20Vincent%20Millay'>Edna St. Vincent Millay</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Excerpt'>Excerpt</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Excerpts'>Excerpts</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Folk%20Tales'>Folk Tales</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Gov.%20Rod%20Blagojevich'>Gov. Rod Blagojevich</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Holidays'>Holidays</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Hurricanes'>Hurricanes</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Ideal%20Contest%20Guidelines'>Ideal Contest Guidelines</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Insult%20Poetry'>Insult Poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Jorie%20Graham'>Jorie Graham</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Literary%20Criticism'>Literary Criticism</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Literary%20Theory'>Literary Theory</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Literature'>Literature</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Modern%20Classics'>Modern Classics</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Music'>Music</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Nursery%20Rhyme'>Nursery Rhyme</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Nursery%20Rhymes'>Nursery Rhymes</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Poetic%20Criticism'>Poetic Criticism</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Poetry%20Inc'>Poetry Inc</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Poetry%20translations'>Poetry translations</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Poets%20and%20Writers'>Poets and Writers</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Ralph%20Waldo%20Emerson'>Ralph Waldo Emerson</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Robert%20Browning'>Robert Browning</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Rudyard%20Kipling'>Rudyard Kipling</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Sara%20Teasdale'>Sara Teasdale</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Teaching%20Creative%20Writing'>Teaching Creative Writing</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/The%20Jorie%20Graham%20Rule'>The Jorie Graham Rule</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Warnings'>Warnings</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/William%20Allingham'>William Allingham</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/William%20Howitt'>William Howitt</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Winter'>Winter</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Zorica%20Petkoska'>Zorica Petkoska</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/book%20doctors'>book doctors</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/complaint'>complaint</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/discourse'>discourse</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/mediocre%20poetry'>mediocre poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/paid%20editorial%20services'>paid editorial services</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/poem'>poem</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/poetic%20censorship'>poetic censorship</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/poetry%20contests'>poetry contests</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/poetry%20readings'>poetry readings</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/pruning'>pruning</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/reading%20fees'>reading fees</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/self-promotion'>self-promotion</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/suppression%20in%20poetry'>suppression in poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-2'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/writing'>writing</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(2)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/%22Twas%20the%20Night%20Before%20Christmas'>"Twas the Night Before Christmas</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/1.20.09'>1.20.09</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/17th%20Century%20Poetry'>17th Century Poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/18'>18</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/A%20Fable'>A Fable</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/A.E.%20Housman'>A.E. Housman</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/ACommoner'>ACommoner</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Abraham%20Lincoln'>Abraham Lincoln</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Academic%20non-fiction'>Academic non-fiction</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/African%20Poetry'>African Poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/African-American%20poetry'>African-American poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Afrodita%20Nikolova'>Afrodita Nikolova</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Alfred%20Noyes'>Alfred Noyes</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/All%20Things%20Bright%20and%20Beautiful'>All Things Bright and Beautiful</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/American%20Idol'>American Idol</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/American%20Pie'>American Pie</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Ana%20Lakaliska'>Ana Lakaliska</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/April%20Fools'>April Fools</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Arthur%20Rimbaud'>Arthur Rimbaud</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Auld%20Lang%20Syne'>Auld Lang Syne</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Bad%20Poems%20by%20Bad%20Poets'>Bad Poems by Bad Poets</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Bad%20Poems%20by%20Famous%20Writers'>Bad Poems by Famous Writers</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Ban%20My%20Book'>Ban My Book</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/BanMyBook.com'>BanMyBook.com</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Betty%27s%20Child'>Betty's Child</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Bicycle%20Commute'>Bicycle Commute</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Bill%20Knott'>Bill Knott</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Bim%20Angst'>Bim Angst</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Birthday'>Birthday</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Blake'>Blake</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Body%20Image'>Body Image</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Borg%20Queen'>Borg Queen</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Bragging'>Bragging</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/CEA'>CEA</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Carl%20Sandburg'>Carl Sandburg</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Cecil%20Frances%20Alexander'>Cecil Frances Alexander</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Celebrities'>Celebrities</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Century'>Century</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Children'>Children</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Christina%20Rossetti'>Christina Rossetti</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Christmas%20story'>Christmas story</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Christopher%20Woodman'>Christopher Woodman</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Clement%20C.%20Moore'>Clement C. Moore</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Coleridge'>Coleridge</a>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Confessional%20Poetry'>Confessional Poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Copyright'>Copyright</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Copyright%20reversion'>Copyright reversion</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Courtesy'>Courtesy</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Creative%20Writing'>Creative Writing</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Cult%20of%20celebrity'>Cult of celebrity</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/D.%20E.%20Mainer'>D. E. Mainer</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Dan%20Gioia'>Dan Gioia</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Daniela%20Atanasova'>Daniela Atanasova</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Debate%20in%20poetry'>Debate in poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Definitions'>Definitions</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Derivative%20Works'>Derivative Works</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Disagreement'>Disagreement</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Donald%20R.%20Dempsey'>Donald R. Dempsey</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Dragan%20Georgievski'>Dragan Georgievski</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Drama'>Drama</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Earth'>Earth</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Earth%20Day'>Earth Day</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Edward%20Robert%20Bulwer%20Lytton'>Edward Robert Bulwer Lytton</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Emma%20Lazarus'>Emma Lazarus</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Environment'>Environment</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Environmental%20Poetry'>Environmental Poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Epigram%20for%20Wall%20Street'>Epigram for Wall Street</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Excerpt%20of%20Betty%27s%20Child'>Excerpt of Betty's Child</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/FBI'>FBI</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Fake%20memoirs'>Fake memoirs</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Fiction'>Fiction</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Fiction%20Critiques'>Fiction Critiques</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Fiction%20Review'>Fiction Review</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Fitness'>Fitness</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Flarf%20Poetry'>Flarf Poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
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<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Folk%20Poetry'>Folk Poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Folktales'>Folktales</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Form%20poetry'>Form poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
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<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Forum--Cynicism%20and%20the%20MFA--Successful%20vs.%20Aspiring%20Writers'>Forum--Cynicism and the MFA--Successful vs. Aspiring Writers</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
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<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Forum--Drama%20and%20Playscripts%20Book%20Review%20Thread'>Forum--Drama and Playscripts Book Review Thread</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Forum--Fiction%20Book%20Review%20Thread'>Forum--Fiction Book Review Thread</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Forum--First%20Amendment%20Issues%20and%20Forums'>Forum--First Amendment Issues and Forums</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Forum--General%20Non-fiction%20Book%20Review%20Thread'>Forum--General Non-fiction Book Review Thread</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Forum--Good%20News%20and%20Bragging%20Rights'>Forum--Good News and Bragging Rights</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Forum--Has%20Confessional%20Poetry%20Debased%20Poetry'>Forum--Has Confessional Poetry Debased Poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Forum--In%202111'>Forum--In 2111</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Forum--Insult%20Poetry'>Forum--Insult Poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Forum--Is%20Poetry%20Dead'>Forum--Is Poetry Dead</a>
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</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Forum--Memoir%20Book%20Review%20Thread%20%28non-fiction%29'>Forum--Memoir Book Review Thread (non-fiction)</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Forum--My%20Get%20Up%20and%20Go%20Has%20Got%20Up%20and%20Went%20%28Anonymous%20Folk%20Poetry%29'>Forum--My Get Up and Go Has Got Up and Went (Anonymous Folk Poetry)</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Forum--Poetry%20Book%20Review%20Thread'>Forum--Poetry Book Review Thread</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
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<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Forum--Poetry%20Slams%20%28Discussion%29--What%20Do%20You%20Think'>Forum--Poetry Slams (Discussion)--What Do You Think</a>
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<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Sir%20Walter%20Scott'>Sir Walter Scott</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Skopje'>Skopje</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Smackdown'>Smackdown</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Snow%20Poems'>Snow Poems</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Speakeasy'>Speakeasy</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Spring'>Spring</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Stack%20O%27Lee'>Stack O'Lee</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Stackolee'>Stackolee</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Stagger%20Lee'>Stagger Lee</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Stagolee'>Stagolee</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Sylvia%20Plath'>Sylvia Plath</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Synopsis'>Synopsis</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Table%20of%20Contents'>Table of Contents</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Teaching'>Teaching</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Textbooks'>Textbooks</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Thanksgiving'>Thanksgiving</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/The%20Cloud'>The Cloud</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/The%20Death%20of%20Poetry'>The Death of Poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/The%20Fall%20of%20the%20House%20of%20Usher'>The Fall of the House of Usher</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/The%20Gift%20of%20the%20Magi'>The Gift of the Magi</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/The%20Highwayman'>The Highwayman</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/The%20Love%20Song%20of%20J.%20Alfred%20Prufrock'>The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/The%20Masque%20of%20the%20Red%20Death'>The Masque of the Red Death</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/The%20Outlaw'>The Outlaw</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Thomas%20Bailey%20Aldrich'>Thomas Bailey Aldrich</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Thomas%20Moore'>Thomas Moore</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Traditional%20Folksongs'>Traditional Folksongs</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Trolls'>Trolls</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Twitter'>Twitter</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Uncle%20Lyle%20Test'>Uncle Lyle Test</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Under-represented%20books'>Under-represented books</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Under-represented%20writers'>Under-represented writers</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Vera%20Sotirovska'>Vera Sotirovska</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Vesna%20Ilievska'>Vesna Ilievska</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Vincent%20Price'>Vincent Price</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Wallace%20Stevens'>Wallace Stevens</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/War%20Poetry'>War Poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Wergle%20Flomp'>Wergle Flomp</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/What%202011%20Poets%20Will%20Our%20Academic%20Descendants%20be%20Reading%20and%20Assigning'>What 2011 Poets Will Our Academic Descendants be Reading and Assigning</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/What%20Makes%20Meaning'>What Makes Meaning</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/What%20is%20Poetry'>What is Poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Wikipedia'>Wikipedia</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/Wilfred%20Owen'>Wilfred Owen</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/William%20B.%20Rands'>William B. Rands</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/William%20Blake'>William Blake</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/William%20Butler%20Yeats'>William Butler Yeats</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/William%20Cowper'>William Cowper</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/William%20Cullen%20Bryant'>William Cullen Bryant</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/William%20Roscoe'>William Roscoe</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/World%20War%20I'>World War I</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/YouTube'>YouTube</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/apology'>apology</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/atrocities'>atrocities</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/banning%20from%20forums'>banning from forums</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/blurbs'>blurbs</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/books'>books</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/call%20for%20humor'>call for humor</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/call%20for%20snark'>call for snark</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/charities'>charities</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/comic%20ballad'>comic ballad</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/coming-of-age'>coming-of-age</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/complaints'>complaints</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/complexity'>complexity</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/crystals'>crystals</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/discrimination'>discrimination</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/duels'>duels</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/enduring%20poetry'>enduring poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/fraud'>fraud</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/free%20verse'>free verse</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/internet%20issues'>internet issues</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/journalism'>journalism</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/judging'>judging</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/kvetching'>kvetching</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/law'>law</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/libel'>libel</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/literary%20contests'>literary contests</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/literary%20representatives'>literary representatives</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/lyrics'>lyrics</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/markets'>markets</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/meaning'>meaning</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/memoirs'>memoirs</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/non-profit%20organizations'>non-profit organizations</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/nonsense%20poetry'>nonsense poetry</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/obituary'>obituary</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/opinion'>opinion</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/opposing%20viewpoints'>opposing viewpoints</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/pedophiles'>pedophiles</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/performance'>performance</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/phishing'>phishing</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/plea'>plea</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/poetry%20as%20big%20business'>poetry as big business</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/poetry%20slams'>poetry slams</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/poets%20and%20freedom%20of%20speech'>poets and freedom of speech</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/poets.net'>poets.net</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/polls'>polls</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/pop%20culture'>pop culture</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/publication'>publication</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/pw.org'>pw.org</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/questions'>questions</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/rites%20of%20passage'>rites of passage</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/rocks'>rocks</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/scams'>scams</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/secrecy'>secrecy</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/sexual%20predators'>sexual predators</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/silence%20vs.%20silencing'>silence vs. silencing</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
<span class='label-size label-size-1'>
<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/slander'>slander</a>
<span class='label-count' dir='ltr'>(1)</span>
</span>
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<a dir='ltr' href='https://www.poets.net/search/label/songs'>songs</a>
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