This next selection is a found poem, unintentional verse discovered in a nonpoetic context, such as a conversation, news story, or an advertisement. Found poems are playful reminders that the words in poems are very often the language we use every day. Whether such found language should be regarded as a poem is an issue left for you to consider.
Donald Justice (1925–2004)
Order in the Streets 1969
(From instructions printed on a child’s toy, Christmas 1968, as reported in the New York Times)
1. 2. 3.
Switch on.
Jeep rushes
to the scene
of riot
Jeep goes
in all directions
by mystery action.
Jeep stops periodically
to turn hood over
machine gun appears
with realistic
shooting noise.
After putting down riot,
jeep goes
back to the headquarters.
Considerations for Critical Thinking and Writing
- FIRST RESPONSE. What is the effect of arranging these instructions in discrete lines? How are the language and meaning enhanced by this arrangement?
- How does this poem connect with the many riots that occurred throughout the United States during the late sixties?
- CREATIVE RESPONSE. Look for phrases or sentences in ads, textbooks, labels, or directions — in anything that might inadvertently contain provocative material that would be revealed by arranging the words in verse lines. You may even discover some patterns of rhyme and rhythm. After arranging the lines, explain why you organized them as you did.