"How to write a political poem."

this is on a sage francis disc.
much better heard than read:


"However it starts,
it's gotta be loud!
and then it's gotta get a little bit louder.
but this is how you write a political poem,
and how you deliver it, UNNH! with power!

Mix current events with platitudes of impowerment.
wrap it up in rhyme
or rah rah rah rah rhyme it up in rap until it sounds cool.
Glare!
until it sinks...
in.

Because somewhere in Florida, votes are still being counted.
I said, somewhere in Florida, votes are still being counted!
See, thats your hook.
You gotta have a hook.
More than the look
its the hook
thats the most important part.
hooks gotta fit
hooks gotta hit
hooks gotta hit hard in the heart
because somewhere in Florida, votes are still being counted.
and Dick Cheney is peeing all over himself in spasmodic glee.

See what I did?
Make fun of politicians.
It's easy!
Especially with republicans like:
Rudy Giuliani, Colin Powell,
and Al Gore.

OOOH, See what I did?!
I called Al Gore a republican!
That must mean that my political sensibilities are much more finally tuned than yours.
Talk about idiotic juxtapositions of political personalities and ideologies.
as if communism really were the opposite of democracy!
as if we need a Ralh Nader not a Darth Vader.

'AMAZING GRACE, HOW'
STOP! In the middle of a song everybody knows and loves.
this will give your poem a sense of urgency.
Because there is always a sense of urgency in a political poem!
There is no time to waste!
Corruption doesn't have a curfew.
Greed doesn't care what color you are.
and the New York City Police Department is filled with police officers,
who carry guns on their hips and metal badges over their hearts1
Remember!
Injustice isn't injustice
it's just in us
just as injustice is just in ice
YEAH!

That is the only alienation of this Alien Nation
where you are to fight for free-dumb.
or else you are free but dumb.
here in freeborg hall
where you are born free
or free born!
and born and free.
YEAH!

And somewhere in Florida, votes are still being counted.

and it makes me wanna, it makes wanna, it makes me wanna
(starts beat-boxing.)
cause I have seen devastation
and gentrification
and I can talk with great articulation
about cosmic constellations
of atomic radiation
I saw D.W. Griffiths 'A Birth of a Nation'
but I preferred Disney's '102 Dalmations.'
and like a cross examination
I can give you the explanation of
why films like 'Slam Nation'
are the ultimate manifestation of
of poetical ejaculation
and egotistical manipulation
and other things that rhyme like...ation.
with Haitian.
and this nation.
and maybe its true that they are still counting votes in Florida.
but at the end of a political poem!
that just doesnt matter anymore!
cause all you have to do
to end a political poem
is get real quiet
close your eyes
and end by saying...

THE SAME LINE THREE TIMES!

THE SAME LINE THREE TIMES!

THE SAME LINE THREE TIMES!"