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What The Motorcycle Said

Br-r-ram-m-m, rackety-am-m, OM, Am:
All-r-r-room, r-r-ram, ala-bas-ter-
Am, the world’s my oyster.

I hate plastic, wear it black and slick,
hate hardhats, wear one on my head,
that’s what the motorcycle said.

Passed phonies in Fords, knocked down billboards, landed
on the other side of The Gap, and Whee,
bypassed history.

When I was born (The Past), baby knew best.
They shook when I bawled, took Freud’s path,
threw away their wrath.

R-r-rackety-am-m. Am. War, rhyme,
soap, meat, marriage, the Phantom Jet
are shit, and like that.

Hate pompousness, punishment, patience, am into Love,
hate middle-class moneymakers, live on Dad,
that’s what the motorcycle said.

Br-r-r-am-m-m. It’s Nowsville, man. Passed Oldies, Uglies,
Straighties, Honkies. I’ll never be
mean, tired, or unsexy.

Passed cigarette suckers, souses, mother-fuckers,
losers, went back to Nature and found
how to get VD, stoned.

Passed a cow, too fast to hear her moo, "I rolled
our leaves of grass into one ball.
I am the grassy All."

Br-r-r-am-m-m, rackety-am-m, OM, Am:
All-gr-r-rin, oooohgah, gl-l-utton-
Am, the world’s my smilebutton.

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Comments


  • Yemassee Moderators member
    March 29

    Edit | Reply
    To me it's a much more effective poem without the sophomoric, "Br-r-r-am-m-m, rackety-am-m..." It makes a very serious social statement and when it's not more concerned with those lines it's caustic and powerful, but for me that "Br-ram-m" stuff just drew attention away from the message.

    Read stanza eight and then stanza ten and tell me which is more effective. Number ten just seems like a waste of three lines that could have better reinforced her meaning.

    But I have a feeling most will like it, if merely for the fact that it is different, maybe more modern, more I don't know. But that's what is great about poetry, we all have our likes and dislikes.

  • Harley23
    March 27

    Edit | Reply

    Style of a poem?

    I'm trying to find out what style the poem "What the Motorcycle said" by Mona Van Duyn is. I need it for an English paper for college.


    • rufina caraid Moderators member
      March 27
      Edit | Reply
      I have sent an IM to you with my thoughts attached. I hope they are some help to you. ~Von~ Oldpoetry.