I’m not usually a snarky poet, so I surprised myself with my response to Glenda’s prompt on Ethical ELA Open Write: Double Consciousness American Sonnet.
Glenda took inspiration from Terrence Hayes’ book American Sonnet for my Past and Future Assassin. “I lock you in an American sonnet that is part prison,
Part panic closet, a little room in a house set aflame.”
I borrowed the opening line to write about a parking lot annoyance of mine, backing in. The title is a play on words. My grandson asked me if “pissed” was a bad word. Then he playfully asked about “piston”.
Parking Lot Piston
I lock you in your white Ford truck backed in over the yellow line.
You are not my kind, hefty and trumped
on four jacked-up off-road tires
designed to crush little people like me
with your oversized parts.
I won’t hitch up my skirt to take a ride.
I park nose-front & take my time
not to cross the line. I return
the wire buggy to the cart-horse paddock,
flash a fake smile to the sweaty boy
maneuvering the train.
I hold my superiority under my side slung purse
where my soft belly holds verses of quiet fortitude.
Margaret Simon, draft
Reflections on the Teche 
Whoo-eee! Spicy, Margaret! Spicy! I love that you found a totally different voice!!
It really is fun to break out once in a while.
What a kick! So much to love in your snarky poem. I’m a nose-front parker too! The “cart-horse paddock” and the “sweaty boy maneuvering the train” complete the picture. I salute your “quiet fortitude.”
Love this poem and your play of words. It good to be sassy sometimes! My favorite lines:
I hold my superiority under my side slung purse
where my soft belly holds verses of quiet fortitude.
I feel like I could write a poem using those lines as the first two! I love that image of a determined, strong woman. Thank you!
Margaret,
I’m wooing you over to the dark side. I know all about Southern lady nice anyway! 😉
Woot! Let that snark out! Love that ending!!
Yes Yes Yes! Parking lots prompt (and in my opinion WARRANT) so much judgment. How about those people who drive too fast? Or the ones that take the lane with all the crosswalks but don’t want to stop for pedestrians? Or the carts that are not returned to the designated “large / small” slots? Humph!! Confession: I back in to park. I like to be looking ahead when I leave to be on the lookout for the fast and furious.
Oh, yes, Margaret! Snarky and pissed. Great poetry posture! Art is a great way to release the superiority feelings we get from those “hefty and trumped” spirit crushers.
Margaret, snark and piston! Love how you invoke some of the historic references of “hitch up my skirt” and “wire buggy,” in defiance. Full of firey spirit:) B.t.w, I’m hosting my first Junk Journal “make” on Zoom, next Wednesday night. You’re one of the wonderful creatives that inspired me to get organized! Love to see you there if you can make it:) https://jilldailey.com/junk-journal-style-poetry-pocket-invitation/
Margaret, I tried to comment earlier this week, but I was on the road and having issues with signing in on my phone. Ugh! At any rate, I’m back to say how much I enjoyed your poem and its sassy, snarky tone. I really love your ending two lines. Well done!
Add my voice to the list of those who love the snark here, Margaret! You nailed it.