I borrow from heroes, as many writers do
And avoid plagiarism by making words new
To walk that fine line I’ve disguised many tributes
I’ll share two examples each for skirting lawsuits.
I’ve many times riffed on Whose woods these are I think I know:
This Christmas tree farm belongs to a guy I believe I know
This forest belongs to a person I’m pretty sure went to my high school
And I’ve often made hay with April is the cruelest month, . . . :
May, I’d wildly surmise, is the toughest month, . . .
June, I tell you true, is one murderous 31-day slog, . . .
Because I could not stop for Death – is a favorite too:
Waiting for The Big D. was taking too f-ing long, so I bagged on him –
If Mussolini had been running things, Death would have been on time –
Another inspiration has been You do not do, you do not do:
I do not do, you do not do, we do not do is some kind of conjugalation
I do-be-do, you do-be-don’t, we would-be-won’t, I warrant
And Dylan’s (Thomas, not Bob) Do not go gentle into that good night I’ve used a hundred times:
If you’re headed out, it’s a good night to go balls to the wall
Tonight, it’s okay out there, so if you’re leaving, give ‘um hell, Harry
My stuff’s jammed with Bobby Burns gold
Such as O my Luve is like a red, red rose:
Oh my love is like a really, really red carnation
Oh my, I just realized love and pleuroses are a lot alike
And finally, if you’ve read me, you know Shakespeare’s my numero uno
Shall I compare thee to a Summer’s day? is a beloved line by my superhero:
Should I give a shot to comparing you with an autumn night?
Between you and a day in the summer, do you realize there are a lot of commonalities?
These are samples of some tributes I’ve changed, for real.
I hope you’ve gleaned hints you can use when you steal.
* * *
Note: This is my rough draft for Wednesday 01.17.24
Lanning Lee 