“Woe (the You) Is Me”
Woe (The You) Is Me
You’re wrong. Tick.
You made a mis-tock-take.
And now there’s no clock–tick
that can be turnedtock–
back–tick. The stock prices
dropped–tick. The man kicked
the buck—tock–with the t’s-tick
not crossed–tock–nor the i’s dotted–tick–
fuck; the whole thing a mess-tock–
’cause you made a miss
tick, yourself a mistook–
tock– you less than a tick, miss–
You less than—
*******************************
This really is a draftish poem for the terrific and exacting Mama Zen at With Real Toads to write something (in 75 words or less) about “the hard stuff.” For me, making a mistake–becoming conscious of making a mistake–is an extremely unpleasant experience. Unfortunately, it is one I have with great frequency. (You’d think I’d get used to it!)
Here’s a reading. I’m not sure I got the tick/tocks right, but it will give some idea–
Speaking of Real Toads – Isadore Gruye has very kindly interviewed me there today. Check it out!
Explore posts in the same categories: poetry, Spoken WordTags: manicddaily, Mistake poem, Screw-up poem, spoken word mistake poem, tick tock poem, what we don't like to talk about, Woe (The You) Is Me
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ManicDDaily 
January 17, 2013 at 2:38 am
This is one that will be read over and over ~ clever stuff
January 17, 2013 at 4:19 am
… and I love your reading …
January 17, 2013 at 6:28 am
Love the solution you came up with – and a most amusing poem, with a bit more to it than mere amusement.
January 17, 2013 at 6:53 am
enjoyed your interview k….
and really cool verse….i like the ticks and tocks through out and they play well with other words in there as well to create some fun along the way….nice closure on this as well….nope cant turn that clock back….
January 17, 2013 at 7:42 am
Thanks, Brian. Izy had such good questions and I probably became rather formal, but hope it’s okay.
No, cannot turn back the clock. Hope all well with you. k.
On Thu, Jan 17, 2013 at 6:53 AM, ManicDDaily
January 17, 2013 at 7:54 am
Well this was fun to read….tick….and then even MORE fun to read aloud. This is definitely a performance piece…..tock!
January 17, 2013 at 8:18 am
Thanks so much, Mary! k.
January 17, 2013 at 9:51 am
What fun to read and to hear, making gold from the straw of your fear. Pressure!
January 17, 2013 at 11:26 am
I like the clock ticking and tocking in between the verses ~ So creative and energtic K ~
January 17, 2013 at 12:15 pm
Deceptively simple sounds in a very complex, intricate poem. I do know what you mean about mistakes. (I still writhe with agonized embarrassment over things I said or did twenty years or more ago–and blush furiously too.) I really like the way you’ve worked with images (the buck, the clock) that reflect the klacking consonants, and the sense of time escaping, while something spilled is nailed to the wall.
Loved the toads interview, complete with Stevens quote, and the sweater poem, not to mention that fine introductory one. Made my morning–everyone should go read it.
January 17, 2013 at 12:22 pm
Thanks so very much, Joy. I worried that it got long and stiff, but the good thing about having very little time is that you have to just let things go, and shut your eyes wincing. Izy is incredibly supportive and kind.
On Thu, Jan 17, 2013 at 12:15 PM, ManicDDaily
January 17, 2013 at 12:25 pm
I too love the energy and the way you did this!
I think we all have fear surround the daily tick n’ tock~
Fun to hear you read it 😀
January 17, 2013 at 12:33 pm
I also hate making a mistake (Is it a Gemini thing?) but you did everything 110% right with this poem. Wow! to the amazing control of the word play throughout.
January 17, 2013 at 11:45 pm
I don’t think Geminis have the monopoly on this! k.
January 17, 2013 at 12:42 pm
My face actually turns red (while sitting at my computer) when I see my mistakes … thank goodness we can edit. Your drawings are some of the most endearing I’ve seen.
January 17, 2013 at 11:45 pm
Thanks so much, Helen. k.
January 17, 2013 at 1:03 pm
Brilliant!
I’d like to see it made into a foreign film……..
one of those funky cool black and white shorts……. 🙂
January 17, 2013 at 3:26 pm
This is so well done! I wish that I’d thought of it.
January 17, 2013 at 4:25 pm
Ha! Thanks, MZ. k.
January 17, 2013 at 8:13 pm
I’m with you on the making mistakes thing and found this clever with the weaving tick, tock that conveys the ‘you can’t escape’ feeling you have.
January 17, 2013 at 8:51 pm
The sounds are so compelling, I’ve read it over several times. I agree with hedge, there is a deceptive simplicity in this complex piece.
The interview at realtoads is great fun. I still love the Wallace Stevens blackbird poem – you pointed me to it earlier this year, I think.
Thank you!
January 17, 2013 at 9:46 pm
Genius ! I thoroughly enjoyed your interview with Izy! You’re brilliant in countless ways K~sincerely. Thank you for sharing your gifts! May i ask what poets are favorites to you?
Have a wonderful evening with your Heavenly Gold tea~ D
January 18, 2013 at 12:40 am
Thanks so much, Deborah. k