A clever humorous poem by one of my favorite contemporary poets: Hair Today, No Her Tomorrow by Brian Patten ‘I've been upstairs', she said. ‘Oh yes?’ I said. ‘I found a hair,’ she said. ‘A hair?’ I said. ‘In the bed,’ she said. ‘From a head?’ I said. ‘It’s not mine,’ she said. ‘Was it black?’ I said. ‘It was,’ she said. ‘I’ll explain,’ I said. ‘You swine,’ she said. ‘Not quite,’ I said. ‘I’m going,’ she said. ‘Please don’t,’ I said. ‘I hate you!’ she said. ‘You do?’ I said. ‘Of course!’ she said. ‘But why?’ I said. ‘That black hair,’ she said. ‘A pity,’ I said. ‘Time for truth,’ she said. ‘For confessions?’ I said. ‘Me too,’ she said. ‘You what?’ I said. ‘Someone else,’ she said. ‘Oh dear,’ I said. ‘So there!’ she said. ‘Ah well,’ I said. ‘Guess who?’ she said. ‘Don’t say,’ I said. ‘I will,’ she said. ‘You would,’ I said. ‘Your friend,’ she said. ‘Oh damn,’ I said. ‘And his friend,’ she said. ‘Him too?’ I said. ‘And the rest,’ she said. ‘Good God!’ I said. ‘What’s that?’ she said. ‘What’s what?’ I said. ‘That noise?’ she said. ‘Upstairs?’ I said. ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘The new cat,’ I said. ‘A cat?’ she said. ‘It’s black,’ I said. ‘Black?’ she said. ‘Long-haired,’ I said. ‘Oh no,’ she said. ‘Oh yes,’ I said. ‘Oh shit!’ she said. ‘Goodbye,’ I said. ‘I lied,’ she said. ‘You lied?’ I said. ‘Of course,’ she said. ‘About my friend?’ I said. ‘Y-ess,’ she said. ‘And the others?’ I said. ‘Ugh,’ she said. ‘How odd,’ I said. ‘I’m forgiven?’ she said. ‘Of course,’ I said. ‘I’ll stay?’ she said. ‘Please don’t,’ I said. ‘But why?’ she said. ‘I lied,’ I said. ‘About what?’ she said. ‘The new cat,’ I said. ‘It’s white,’ I said.
Ha ha…fun poem. I like how the poet recites his poem himself because inflection of voice and timing let's you know exactly how he intended you to receive it. Makes it very interesting. Clever punchline too. There's a similar one by e. e. cummings but not appropriate to post in SO…uses the same poetic form but an entirely different storyline.
That method of playing both persons, in a conversation, reminded me of Johnny Cash's song Sanctified. I have posted it in the Faith and religion Section, where I thought if fit better.
Well someone got caught I say! If it wasn't the cat whose hair was it then? It was most interesting when you hear it out loud rather than reading it. It makes more sense when you hear it with the expression saying everything. At least they are conversing about some interesting finds. What will be the finale of this?
told me that e.e.cummings wrote a similar poem, that may well have inspired Brian Patten to write his. This one is on the erotic side so read no further if you are offended by such matters. may i feel said he by e e cummings may i feel said he (i'll squeal said she just once said he) it's fun said she (may i touch said he how much said she a lot said he) why not said she (let's go said he not too far said she what's too far said he where you are said she) may i stay said he (which way said she like this said he if you kiss said she may i move said he is it love said she) if you're willing said he (but you're killing said she but it's life said he but your wife said she now said he) ow said she (tiptop said he don't stop said she oh no said he) go slow said she (cccome? said he ummm said she) you're divine! said he (you are Mine said she)