The Activist School
This poetic school is the happy result of a dovetailing between activism—work to bring about social, environmental, or political change—and creative verse. “How can I,” the Poet Activist asks, “use my art and talents to make the world a better place?”
Let us turn, then, to a selection from the best of the Activist School poets.
The skeptical reader may ask: “Are they really making the world a better place?” We reply: “Don’t ask.”
Diddy
b. 1969
The great humanitarians recognize the interconnectivity of all life. Rapper Diddy (aka Sean “Puffy” “P. Diddy” “Diddy” “Puff Daddy” Combs), in the spirit of the Nobel Prize–winning Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore, seeks such connection through his rapping work and here, in his poetry. It is no wonder he is so beloved.
The Importance of P
I felt like the “P” was coming between me and my fans.
We had to simplify it.
It was, you know, during concerts
and half the crowd saying “P. Diddy”
and half the crowd chanting “Diddy.”
Now everybody can just chant
“Diddy.”
John Madden
b. 1936
In this spare, cryptic poem, football commentator and former coach John Madden tackles the problem of football player hydration—sagely acknowledging that man does not assuage thirst by water alone.
Liquefaction
There definitely needs to be water on the sidelines for these players,
but I also had some Gatorade
just in case
they were allergic to the water.
Or vice versa.
Henry Paulson
b. 1946
Why did then–Treasury Secretary and millionaire banker Henry Paulson bail out his fellow bankers who were responsible for the financial meltdown of 2008—and even let them keep their bonuses? Paulson tackles this complex topic in a spare, even blunt, poem that takes the intricacies of modern finance and puts it into words we can all understand.
On Why the Little People Should Appreciate Billion Dollar Banker Bailouts
This is not just about Wall Street.
This is all about creating jobs
growing around our country
driving productivity
putting capital behind ideas
Behind people
Behind new businesses
small businesses . . .
There may be one or two people (but I can’t think of any)
That didn’t agree with the thesis.
Alicia Silverstone
b. 1976
Actress Alicia Silverstone is to be applauded for tackling a difficult, even controversial, topic and writing about it with unflinching frankness. By the end of the poem, the reader wishes that he or she, too, could take Silverstone’s helpful hand and learn to poo.
To Poo or Not to Poo
Most people aren’t pooing.
I know two girls in my life
who are good friends,
who were not pooing,
but now they’re pooing
’cause I helped them.
I taught them how to poo.
Bai Ling
b. 1966
The following—a simple yet powerful poem about a simple yet powerful contribution—is marked by its spare language and charming acceptance of the yoke of duty.
The Dutiful Nip Slip
If photos of my nipples
give a little smile to others,
that is my duty.
Bai Ling
Ling expands on her duty in the next poem—taking the conscientious nipples one step further, to the delight of the reader.
On the Inspiration for My Upcoming Book, Nipples
It’s a point of view of how I see the world. Like,
I’m wearing purple and pink, you’re wearing blue;
maybe I’m wearing red, you’re wearing yellow.
Our eyes are limited.
The book is about my perspective
—very erotic, very intimate.
I share a lot of relationships that I had with different gentlemen . . .
(I wrote it in 40 days without even thinking.)
Heidi Montag
b. 1986
Former reality TV star Heidi Montag offers two tweeted tercets. Each could easily stand on its own as a tight construct of wisdom, but when combined they become more than the sum of their parts—a true powerhouse of plastic surgery punditry.
Two Public Service Announcements via Twitter
(after having ten plastic surgery procedures in one day and later regretting some of them) (particularly the excessively large implants)
1.
Giving my self a soft tissue breast massage,
Ladies
we have to keep those implants soft.
2.
Warning: to anyone who is thinking about getting their ears pinned
I learned after the fact it is
the most painful surgery a person can get.