"Instead"/POETRY by Michael J. Farrand

INSTEAD

Instead of . . .
Gluing the
Back of your hand
To your forehead
And shouting:
"Victim!"

Fashion
Of your hand
A salute
To the
American man
For building the world
You decorate

Instead of . . .
Shouting
"Male chauvinist pig!

Form
Those angry lips
Around
The simple words
"Thank you!"
Thank us for . . .
vacuum cleaners
refrigerators
microwave ovens
one-spray cleaners
automatic transmissions
power brakes
Thank us for
'Liberating' you

Instead of . . .
Kneeing men
In the groin
And sniggering
As if
They deserve it

Kneel down
And thank
God
For the
American male
Who lets you
Do
Whatever it is
You want to
Do
Whenever you
Want to
Do it

Instead of . . .
Cursing God
For being a man

Thank Him for the . . .
ever tolerant
ever giving
ever loving
never questioning
never putting you in your place
American man
Who gave you
"Liberty"