Sputterpub's Blog

In screening sets of standup comedy,
I’m struck with how they regulate their speech.
They take good time that doesn’t seem to be
a pause for the applause or laughs. They teach
a slow enunciation I could try,
who most my life have spurted words so fast,
my brothers mocked while I felt pride in my
ability to make them feel outclassed.

But really, why’d I hurry so each word?
A little fear of interruption, sure,
that now seems somewhat desperate and absurd,
the more so for I never aimed to cure
another’s argument, or shed clear light
on any path but what for me seemed right.

Some mornings I wake up before I thought
I might, but after what’s sufficient sleep
to operate so consciously. I’m brought
to full attentive state, and I can’t creep
back into dreaming comfort. I’m not fraught
or even fretful, but don’t want to keep
reclining, so I rise before the sun,
to vary customary. And it’s fun.