Apt Graffito
Apt Graffito
“I need a bath” stencils
the grubby; letters smearing
clear soft loops in the caught crud of shield
or siding–
My sides ache suddenly
for the smart-fingers of that same wag–
someone who might snag
my spattered anatomy, signing the obvious
but somehow overlooked–
“I need a hug” crude, but most likely
to be sharpied–
“I need approbation,” taking too much space
on face or forearm.
*******************************
Draftish poem for dVerse Poets Prompt “Meeting the Bar” hosted by Anna Montgomery. Anna urges us to get some writing energy from graffiti! I have been moving and have had a long couple of days. I started the whole process early, for those interested, so have plenty of time left to complete it, but I transferred the bulk of belongings, including a piano (across ice)! I have done a great deal of delegation to very helpful people including my husband and daughter ( thank God!!!!!) – but still feel rather drained. Thanks for all of your kind wishes and sympathy.
Explore posts in the same categories: poetry, UncategorizedTags: "I need a hug/bath" poem, Apt Graffito, dirty windshield poem, Graffiti poem, manicddaily, what the back of a dirty truck doesn't tell you
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ManicDDaily 
February 21, 2013 at 7:08 pm
Ah, ‘taking too much space …’ how sad …
February 21, 2013 at 8:06 pm
I like the rhythm of your poem.
February 21, 2013 at 8:08 pm
Wonderful! I always love seeing what people write in the dirt on vehicles! 🙂
February 21, 2013 at 8:23 pm
graffiti is everywhere–in a “i need a hug”
thank you
February 21, 2013 at 9:05 pm
ha…kinda glad no one gets to graffiti on me…kinda worried what they might say there as well…hey after the move…you probably do need a hug k…sending one virtually….
February 21, 2013 at 9:42 pm
I hope the moving settles soon, it is very stressful (I’ve done it 46 odd times). I love your witty take, it’s always a pleasure to see you at a prompt.
February 21, 2013 at 10:47 pm
So much fun in this poem and yet it makes it’s point. A very nice spin …
Hope you are settling in now.
February 22, 2013 at 8:46 am
Ha! Thanks. I won’t really be “settling” in until May probably – I don’t actually have to move until the end of March, but I am taking a pretty big trip in early April, so trying to get ahead of the game, so I’ll still be staying in my old apartment, basically living out of a suitcase and throwaway sort of couch through March, but at least will have most everything out! k.
February 21, 2013 at 11:50 pm
Oh, if we only could write our feelings on our skin.
February 21, 2013 at 11:57 pm
happy moving in. hug =)
February 22, 2013 at 12:05 am
oh my…moving is no fun..and with a piano…goodness… we moved ours once as well..wasn’t icy though… hope you can relax a bit now that it’s done.. take a bath, get hugged…smiles..sending you cyber hugs as well
February 22, 2013 at 3:21 am
Moving…I hate it. I have always loved where I have moved to, but not the getting there…”not enough room” That can be a graffiti problem. 🙂
February 22, 2013 at 4:18 am
I love it! Very unique! Keep up the good work!
February 22, 2013 at 5:44 am
Not keen on the upheaval of moving house – I would need a hug too.
Hope settling in time is fast approaching.
Anna :o]
February 22, 2013 at 6:35 am
Love this. There’s just no answer to it, is there?
February 22, 2013 at 8:05 am
I think not. k.
February 22, 2013 at 10:27 am
It’s fortunate our inner graffiti doesn’t usually show–it’s like invisible ink, though, and sometimes the heat of circumstance brings it out. A great, adroit take on this prompt– a sort of understated play on the tattoos we engrave on the skin of identity.
February 22, 2013 at 11:18 am
Ha, thanks. Now, that’s a cool analogy. k.
February 22, 2013 at 10:42 am
everything about this is sharp. the consonants almost jest when I read it aloud. You bring the act and the mentality of it closer to the skin (and the windshield.) A really brilliant take on the everyday-ness of graffiti.
February 22, 2013 at 11:19 am
Thanks so much, Jane. Yours was wonderful. k.
February 22, 2013 at 2:14 pm
Nice concept – I’d not want anyone writing on me! Heaven knows what they’d put!
February 22, 2013 at 6:39 pm
so very dimensional ! Loved it!
February 22, 2013 at 7:52 pm
Enjoyed! 🙂
February 23, 2013 at 4:27 am
Several times I’ve seen “Also available in white” scrawled on the back of some speactacularly grimy vans – it always makes me smile. As for “I need a hug” – most of us should have that written on us, because it’s true so much of the time.
Hope the move is going OK – and bleh to living out of a suitcase.
February 23, 2013 at 9:16 am
You look into the shallow end, then walk ’round and plunge right into the deep. If only our needs were so aptly displayed and understood, then met. Love this, K.
http://www.kimnelsonwrites.com/2013/02/22/it-is-written-vehicles-of-the-word/
February 23, 2013 at 9:46 am
Thanks so much, Kim. k.