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Linda Haviland Conte is the author of Slow As A Poem (Ibbetson Street Press, 2002). Her poems are included in the anthologies City of Poets: 18 Boston Voices and Out of the Blue Writers Unite. She serves on the board of the New England Poetry Club as treasurer, and recently retired from working in the Somerville Public Schools. Conte has participated as a panelist at the Massachusetts and New Hampshire Poetry Festivals (2017).

Honk!

Davis Sq., Somerville, MA

From corner to corner the Square is so loud
with shining brass horns enthralling the crowds.
The drums and the clapping
the stomping and snapping
are enough to keep these crowds engrossed,
but for even more fun, just check out the clothes!
Where did they get those wildish rags,
from the back of a flea market’s throw-away bags?

Yet, they’re funny and clever as well as outlandish.
If you don’t like it, you know whose what you can kiss!
They don’t care a fig for conservative style,
they’re delivering their show with a sideways smile.
Get out your boas and your bright striped stockings,
your stuffy old stuffed shirts will take a firm mocking.

Though at first glance the nonsense might seem excessive,
it’s the dance of the left-wing, liberal Progressives!
They’re shouting for peace and Yes! on One,
but while they are at it, why not have some fun? 

— Linda Haviland Conte

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To have your work considered for the Lyrical send it to:
Doug Holder, 25 School St.; Somerville, MA 02143
dougholder@post.harvard.edu