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Free Verse

Won't have that


Standing in the shower, I rinse my hair again, Thinking maybe one more lather Will cleanse me of this sin. But deep down I know it won't, Because all this use of soap Doesn't clear the grease. The cogs may squeak, But the machine ain't broke. And no way in hell we'll fix it, Cause if the grind were to stop, There'd be no rest for the wicked. And we can't have that.
When public safety decides To remind you properly That your private parts Are public property, And to know your place As an object ought to be Where they slap your ass, They say you want it, obvi'sly, So they can have that.
Their boss tells me she's sorry, And I believe her, though it's fleeting, As my boss decides to steal my money; Says to clock out before the meeting. She tells me that I'm safe, And then tries to take my food, Because the company's bottom line Will take swing at my ass, too. But she can't have that.
I tell her to stop blowing smoke, I won't be the butt of another joke. She can kiss my ass. I won't have that.
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▾ This Poem's Voice

Your Poem's Voice

PersonalThemeAbstract

Primarily personal/autobiographical about workplace and sexual harassment; some abstract commentary on systemic oppression.

SparseMeasureDense

Dense packing of ideas: personal shame, systemic exploitation, sexual harassment, labor theft, resistance—multiple concepts per stanza.

DarkSentimentBright

Strongly negative throughout: shame, violation, exploitation, anger. Ends with defiant refusal but rooted in injustice.

StillEnergyExplosive

Explosive language and voice: sharp imperatives, profanity, confrontational tone, rapid-fire accusations and refusals.

MicroLengthEpic

44 lines falls within 31-60 range.

PlainFigurativeOrnamented

Strong metaphors (shower/cleansing sin, machine/cogs, public property); personification (company); puns (butt/ass); extended conceit.

LyricVoiceDramatic

Pure lyric internal voice throughout; narrator's direct emotional and intellectual experience; no dramatic persona shift.

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You share RAYE's pacing and scope.

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You share Gracie Abrams's figurative language and perspective.

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