It is 5:50 AM, and the poet targeters are treating her to the usual early morning wave of tear gas. Her device is already displaying anomalous behaviors from hacking or directed energy weaponry.

Shall we have a poem?

*****

Recorded Reading (1:37): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/orh3ia91xwe6lp8swbrxb/Standing-In-the-Sun.mp3?rlkey=augtg1vcj6ml34p6y7e1iczbv&st=sgtcxrd1&dl=0

*****

Standing in the Sun

Diogenes, a character,
Chose to live in the village square
Shelt’ring in a barrel, he
Might call himself completely free

Those there were who wondered at
This jolly antiplutochrat
His existence many felt
Threatened their consumer cult

At last, news of this parvenu
Reached even royalty unto
Enough subsequently to bring
Him a visit from his King

Whom, on meeting with the man,
Moved was to his price demand
For his ouster from that shell ~
For Kings know one thing very well

That seldom need it asked be twice
Of any man what be his price
Abandon erstwhile principle
Since our world is, sadly, full

To near exploding, oh, indeed,
Of folks who feel themselves in need
Of many things they have not got
Means by which such may be bought…

Diogenes considered well
Before he chose his pref’rence tell
Whereon, squinting one bright eye,
Gazed on his sov’reign standing by:

“If you’d step to the left a touch
I would appreciate it much
For I’d be having much more fun
Were you not standing in my sun…”

*****

The poet/editor of this website is physically disabled, and lives at a fraction of her nation’s poverty level.

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