Out Like a Lamb

West Side Juliet

Tony leaves the boyz
knows something is coming and
croons all about it

         Meanwhile Romeo
         not what you'd call a gangsta
         likes sneaking around

Capulets and Sharks
lousy chickens all of 'em
(if you ask a Jet).

         Knowing Bernardo
         he'd knock off Mercutio
         given half a chance

That idiot Riff
swinging a switchblade around
womb to tomb indeed

         Tybalt hears Chino
         gunning down a Romeo
         thinking go, thou, go!

Juliet welcomes
her end; not so Maria
who prefers to live.


note ▼

April 23—Poem based on a play (It’s Shakespeare’s birthday, but any play!)