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Outlaw Bible

I’m Not a Man

I’m not a man, I can’t earn a living, buy new things for my family.I have acne and a small peter.

I’m not a man. I don’t like football, boxing and cars.I like to express my feeling. I even like to put an armaround my friend’s shoulder.

I’m not a man. I won’t play the role assigned to me- the role createdby Madison Avenue, Playboy, Hollywood and Oliver Cromwell,Television does not dictate my behavior.

I’m not a man. Once when I shot a squirrel I swore that I wouldnever kill again. I gave up meat. The sight of blood makes me sick.I like flowers.

I’m not a man. I went to prison resisting the draft. I do not fightwhen real men beat me up and call me queer. I dislike violence.

I’m not a man. I have never raped a woman. I don’t hate blacks.I do not get emotional when the flag is waved. I do not think I shouldlove America or leave it. I think I should laugh at it.

I’m not a man. I have never had the clap.

I’m not a man. Playboy is not my favorite magazine.

I’m not a man. I cry when I’m unhappy.

I’m not a man. I do not feel superior to women

I’m not a man. I don’t wear a jockstrap.

I’m not a man. I write poetry.

I’m not a man. I meditate on peace and love.

I’m not a man. I don’t want to destroy you

     -Harold Norse

This sizeable volume, edited by Alan Kaufman and S. A. Griffin, houses a gathering of Beat poets, spoken word artists, slam poets, and other revolutionaires. 

 

Published 1999 by Thunder's Mouth Press

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