Paul

by Tanya Angell Allen

Found poem: lines overheard from a man in his early sixties having a conversation with himself on an Amtrak train, Massachusetts to Vermont, October 15, 2006
 
They don't want Paul back in this state
Get out of here
Get get get get get
But I didn't do nothin'
Yeah, that's the problem
You don't do nothin'
You're just plain weird
 
You're a nut
Not an acorn or butternut

Or walnut you're another kind of nut
Strange thing a year: Same things
Happening this year as happened
This time last year
 
Send Paul to Springfield
People of Springfield won't be happy
They won't like it--
Keeps talking to himself
Weird son of a bitch
Send him to Bangor
 
Don't bother the squirrels
Leave their acorns alone
Go get your own acorns
Leave their acorns alone
 
Go to the third floor VA hospital
They'll strap you down
Do the throrazine stuff
 
I'll say the pledge of allegiance to the flag
And maybe they'll let me sneak out
I don't think so—didn't work that time
Won't work this time
 
They've got frogs and potatoes in Maine
What do you have
Frogs and potatoes in Maine
Yes they do


Tanya Angell Allen edits the poetry-news blog Choriamb.