Poem Poem
This is a short, performance-based, audience-interactive poem.
Before I read this, can we try something?
Everyone together — just say the word poem out loud.
However it comes out.
On three.
Ready?
1–2–3.
…again. Same way.
Listen to the room.
Some of you said po-em.
Some said pome.
Some slid through it — po-im, po-am, po-arm
Same word.
Different mouths.
Different music.
Like we are.
So if you ever think you have nothing unique to say —
listen again.
Thomas Coffey is a poet and songwriter living in Auckland, New Zealand, originally from Christchurch. He developed a passion for poetry through the writing groups at Toi Ora after many years writing original songs. He is drawn to work that finds meaning in ordinary moments. “Poem Poem” is his first published poem.
