John Ellison Davies: Two Poems

To the Legislators

I, the people,

have waited patiently

I gave you my vote

and you conspired against me,

my friends, family and children

I revoke your power

I, the people, may govern

myself in any way I choose

you are dismissed

you will not be forgiven

but you will not be punished

your lives will be spared

go now

Million Dollar Poem

from an unknown author

it appeared, quite unexpectedly,

in The New Yorker

short and simple

it flashed sparks

of all known longing

and fear and heartache

it was a wonder

reprinted everywhere,

downloaded, stencilled

on T-shirts

and coffee cups

it still earns

considerable royalties

the author

never wrote another poem

John Ellison Davies