POEM -- "Lines" by Thomas Herr

This poem was written in the 1980's while the poet was in university; on the cusp of graduation and entry into the ominous "real world", it was a time of uncertainty and great observation - and a bit of rebellion against the status quo as it were.  Resistance to "control" and to insincere social programs, and an observation about "copping out".

And a statement about the inevitability of what's to come in life.

Lines

by Thomas Herr

There are lines on this paper
Put there
By the 
publisher
T o keep my words from
Falling
                  To
                       the
                             bottom
                       of
                 the
   Page.

There are lines on the street
Put there
By the
Rich and famously rich
For giving bread to
Poor
         ones
                  falling
                            on
                    their
          faces
sad.

There are lines on your mirror
Put there
By fears
And countless doubts
To keep you from
Dropping
                     to
                        your
                                 knees
               to beg
for mercy.

Beg for mercy
Beg for mercy
Beg for mercy

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