Forced-to-fit Music
for Carolyn Cooper

who has released these criminals
who has set them upon us to upset us
to upset society’s apple cart
in disbelief, my mouth drops open
whenever a vehicle goes by
music like thunder from underground
does war make a worse sound
is war a worse pound, a worse vibration
my house, without end, shaking
with me inside, angry as well as scared
wondering what’s to come next
how akin to natural disaster
are these persons gone mad
wanting us all to go crazy with them
wanting us all caught up
in their mad-crazy rhythms
even who might wish
to detach from this world
withdraw from it
into a life of contemplation
even who might prefer
Gregorian chant


© Obediah Michael Smith, 2007
6:52 p.m. 10/11/07