POEM - The T-shirt Incident

We got the call to come get Vern

There was little explanation given

Just that we needed to come get her

There was an issue

A problem to address

It was a moment

As a parent

When it is hard to be a parent

Hard to side with the adults

Her offense was really mine

She had worn one of my t-shirts

And for some reason

That I guess

            If I had to

                        Could see why

They really didn’t appreciate it

See, I had bought it at Thrash

The punk store in San Bernardino

It was just down the street

From an original Pussy Cat theater

Both were now long gone

The theater because of taste

The other because punk had faded

The shirt was for the band M.O.D.

You know? Method of Destruction

A great thrash band

But that’s not why I bought it

The picture was why I bought it

It was also why we were headed to the school

Really it wasn’t that bad

It was hilarious to me

It had this guy surfing

And then there was this shark

And the shark had a leg

That he had bitten off of the guy

In his mouth

            With blood and tendons showing

                        So, you know, totally gnarly and stuff!

What could possible offend?

Someone got offended

Said something nit-picky

Like it wasn’t appropriate

Or conducive

Or in good taste

Some blah-blah-blah

Charlie Brown teacher

Waa-waa nonsense

I acted like I cared

Gave the right answers

Promised it wouldn’t happen again

Gave Vern a high five at the car

On the way to get ice cream