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I was thinking while listening to some poets the other day
Of what someone who's not a poet or into poetry would think right away
You know, if Mr. Joe Blow happened to stop by and listen to the amount of whining poets tend to do
One poet after another stepping to Mic or paper just to wail out more of their personal blues
How many poems can there be about how depressed, lonely, or ostracized that we feel
Before Mr. Joe Blow walks in, shrugs derisively and says, "Big Fuckin' Deal"?
Now, I know you supposedly don't care what Mr. Joe Blow has to say about your deepest emotions
But, if that's so, why does being set apart from Mr. and Mrs. Joe Blow take up so much of our poetry's devotions?
I see quite a few black poets talking about how the "Man", or Mr. Joe Blow, is still holding blacks back
And then I'll watch some angry poetess protest all about her personal Mr. Joe Blow within a derisive verbal attack
Crossing the subculture line, there's the pale gothic kid wanting to know why Mr. Joe Blow won't accept his clothing choices
So, I try to stand in Mr. Joe Blow's shoes and think of his opinion of all the other opinions' voices
It only seems fair to do so since Mr. Joe Blow isn't here and more than likely doesn't care
About how heartfelt our words, no matter how deep and truthful in meaning, or fake and filled with flare
Maybe you're thinking at this point in hearing my own poem that it doesn't matter
That I'm just running in circles worrying about Mr. Joe Blow, that all my thoughts are scattered
But there is a method to my madness, I just wanted to illustrate my point clearly
We're all speaking to each other, like singing to the choir through group hug poetry
But the fact is... Mr. Joe Blow will never hear what you have to say because that's not who you're saying it to
And that simple fact allows us all to keep writing whining poems, without the person it is directed to being in view
This is a real problem, a vicious cycle, and I have a solution to it
Memorize the poem that means the most to you and find your own Mr. Joe Blow, make your point definite
Regardless of whether it was a Joe Blow who broke your heart, or called you a "bitch" way back when on the playground
Regardless of whether your Joe Blow discriminated against you because you're a woman, a man, or just because your skin's brown
Memorize the poem that has the most meaning and covers the broadest possible sense of your anger and pain
Find that Joe Blow, no matter what visage he or she wears now and unleash that poem with all wrath and fury, do NOT refrain
Make Joe Blow listen to every word that he refuses to hear when you're here fronting and playing with talent and skill
You have the power of speech, the talent to use it, now have the courage to make Joe Blow sit and listen to the power of your Poetry instills.