Plagiarizing The Pom Poms Poem by Mary Angela Douglas

down to the last rag doll rag and bone

my God we have been used by those

with side-winding smiles by those who say


we'll see you in a while but who mean never

as they drop off the cliff with everything they could lift from you

with an oh i'll take that off of your hands


or I'll raise my hand with the answer you already gave

but the teacher couldn't hear you

and borrow your words your finery and not use quotes as if that were


their prerogative and the kit catty cat burglar game made bona fide


right in front of you while they bask in a ripped off glow


and bushel basket strangle your small flame

as they ascend ascend to spiral staircase fame

flinging a stolen glance from the shoulder a rhinestone shawl


but the oddest thing of all is the staircase runs out

and they haven't even got a shout for help,

they could call their own.


mary angela douglas 1 may 2020