Snowd-In

We regret to inform you
that we have not
as of yet
decided what to call
Edward Snowden's leaks
of the United States'
mass surveillance programs.

Tragically
we wasted
"Snowmageddon"
on that stupid blizzard
earlier this year.

Rest assured
you will be
immediately informed
when that decision is made.

Signed
the Media.

This poem © 2013 Emily Cooper.

Why'd They Change It

(Apologies to Jimmy Kennedy and Nat Simon)

Istanbul or Constantinople
Call it Istanbul
not Constantinople
If you feel wronged in Constantinople
get in a Turkish fight on a moonlit night

Every one in Constantinople
lives in Istanbul
not Constantinople
so if you want change in Constantinople
go and protest in Istanbul

In Mumbai
New York
Iran and Birmingham
reasons change
but we can say
"People just want it
better some way."

So go on back to Constantinople
but please be careful
in Constantinople
around the world
not just Constantinople
"Why do these police all act like jerks?"
That's nobody's business but ...

Abdullah's.

This poem © 2013 Emily Cooper.

Monday, Monday Raise Up

(With apologies to the Mamas and the Papas and Native NC Rapper Petey Pablo)

Moral Monday
good ol' NC
Moral Monday
means a chance for democracy
Voting rights
community freedom we are guaranteed
Next Moral Monday
won't you please stand here with me.

This one's for...
North Carolina
come on and
raise up.

North Carolina
come on and
raise up.

This one's for who?
Us
Us
Us.

This poem © 2013 Emily Cooper.