What is a list poem? This poetry style collects a list of people, places, things, ideas, or even words strung together somewhere within a poem to form a list. It is not necessary for the list to rhythm, but the words used should be memorable. I find the freedom when creating a list poem fascinating. The wordplay can be wild and free similar to Indiana weather in the early spring. Therefore, in March, I plan to write a series of list poems. I will title this one A Series of Unfortunate Events .
Awaken in the middle of the night
By the sound of a bomb exploding
Only it wasn’t a bomb
Just a drunk girl under the street
Running into the construction equipment
The cops come with flashing red light
A fire truck and an ambulance
Struggle to fall back asleep
And Then
Beep, beep, beep at 7 a.m.
Yellow-Jacket guys
Heavy equipment
Functioning as my alarm clock
They are digging the hole deep
To asses the damage
And Then
Drink coffee
Eat breakfast
Do exercises to strengthen the knee
There is no time for romance
Before I log on to my computer
Microsoft word going berserk
Three hours on the phone
With computer support
Issue still unresolved
And Then
Mad rush across town
Catch every red light
Arrive at physical therapy late
Eight minutes on the bike
In an uphill climb
Move to the leg press
Do the monster walk
And stretch and stretch
And then
Rush to the Computer store
An hour with an arrogant computer guy
Confusing dialog that makes me wonder why
I even bothered to come
Leave the stoe feeling dumb
An Then
Log on when I get home
Issue still unresolved
Word won’t save and it won’t work
The entire day was
A Series of Unfortunate Events
I hold out hope tomorrow
Will be a better day.
Molly Shea is an accomplished fictional short story writer from Indiana who writes short stories and novels about a fictional town called Tecumseh. To read more of her short stories and adventures, click here.
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