John Hamilton Poet Dramatic Monologue

Normal People Scare Me

Normal people scare me


The other day,
I shuffled my way,
down the street,
minding my own business.

As I raised my glance upwards
to the oncoming pedestrian
traffic on the busy sidewalk,
I noticed a young woman (I think)
as she (?) approached me,

I saw her,
navigating her way through
the stream of people crossing
in front of her,
like a salmon, 
swimming against the current.

She had purple spiked hair, 
sides shaved,
her face, 
pierced like a pin cushion,
and, every inch of exposed flesh 
was covered in profanity laced ink.

She wore army fatigues, 
and a T shirt, with the words 
"NORMAL PEOPLE SCARE ME".
emblazoned across her chest!

As her brazen eyes,
searched for reactive glances,
I cast my gaze downwards.

Strange thing was...
no one even seemed shocked by her!

Upside down world!

John Derek Hamilton
Feb 27,2017

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Beautiful Scars March 11, 2017 at 4:05 PM great poem- I have a small diamond nose piercing and my sister (who passed away) initials tattooed on my right shoulder. I don't feel I am scary to look at or weird. But I understand some people are extreme with piercings and tattoos. It is not my place to judge those who are different than me. My sister was the most compassionate woman I'll ever know- she had a few tattoos also. She was still beautiful though no matter what her skin looked like. God made everyone beautiful in their own way... John Hamilton March 11, 2017 at 4:24 PM I am not judging just observing how things have changed, no doubt God is the judge, thanks for the visit and comment!

Andrea Dietrich March 6, 2017 at 3:24 PM Yes, the world is truly upside down, JOhn. An excellent example for us. She sounds SCARY to ME!!!! Great job on this one. John Hamilton March 6, 2017 at 3:44 PM Unfortunately here in Canada this is a pretty common sight, no one is surprised or shocked any more, the world has changed and not for the better, look forward to your entry, you should do well with this one! Thanks for the visit Andrea!

Jan Allison March 5, 2017 at 7:32 AM Brilliantly penned John:-) Sadly it seems the tattoo, shaven haired and piercing look is the way of the world now especially to the younger generation... but I find it most off putting especially when dealing face to face - ugh the thought of some of those piercings turns my stomach I guess I'm just old and stuck in my ways but I do find it somewhat intimidating:-( hugs Jan xx John Hamilton March 5, 2017 at 1:15 PM I feel the same way, here in Canada, its so common now even the police can have tatoos, I just find it all so strange, thanks for the visit Jan!

Anisha Dutta March 4, 2017 at 9:00 PM Great Idea for a new theme. Trying John Hamilton March 4, 2017 at 10:48 PM Look forward to your entry, thanks for the visit, Anisha.

Joseph May March 1, 2017 at 12:02 PM It should be that she scares normal people..lol...A great take on the theme John...reads like a winner John Hamilton March 1, 2017 at 12:09 PM It's my contest, give it a try, thanks Joseph!

Charlie Smith February 28, 2017 at 11:30 AM In Austin Texas the city motto is "Keep Austin Weird". Don't exactly know what that means anymore... John Hamilton February 28, 2017 at 11:39 AM Normal is kind of scary because " normal" follows the norms of society, and the new normal, is what we used to think was weird, so Austin being weird I guess, means trendy, or the new normal. Welcome to the upside down world. Thanks Charlie for the visit. Looking forward to your entry.

Daniel Turner February 28, 2017 at 7:54 AM John, I think they do notice, they simply did what you did, they look away and keep their opinions to themselves. Yes. we have changed a lot. We used to have the right to say what we thought and said it! John Hamilton February 28, 2017 at 8:49 AM You're right they do notice, what I tried to say, in the write was no one was shocked at seeing her, because so many look like that now that it's not shocking anymore Where I live if you DON'T have full body tatoos you are the freak, I find that a little disconcerting sometimes. Thanks for the visit Danny.

Joanna Daniel February 28, 2017 at 4:45 AM I like the way you have put it, John:) the 'I think' and (?) are the best way to describe such people, sadly they crave attention, but in the wrong way:( Joanna Daniel March 1, 2017 at 8:56 AM Yeah, you are right, John, am glad this trend has not caught up that much in India so far, but it will soon:( John Hamilton February 28, 2017 at 8:55 AM True Jo, but I think it goes beyond that now, it has become more than attention seeking in my view, so many people, not just young people choose to imitate these fashion statements, it's becoming so trendy that many companies have to change their anti-piercing and anti-tatoo policies, because there are no applicants for job openings /vacancies these days. See my comment to Daniel.

Cheryl Hoffman February 27, 2017 at 8:49 PM I've seen people like that at my local Wal-mart so I can definitely relate~Great example for contest John! Enjoyed!~Che :) John Hamilton February 28, 2017 at 9:01 AM Thanks Cheryl, even Wal-Mart I believe has had to change their anti-piercing and anti-tatoo policies, because there were so few new applicants for job vacancies. Here in Toronto area, even the police are allowed to have tatoos now, so strange to me. See my comment to Daniel. Thanks for the visit and comment!

Constance La France February 27, 2017 at 2:18 PM John great example for your contest, I think I have seen her walking past, we are so accustom to the bizarre we don't even react anymore! John Hamilton February 27, 2017 at 2:32 PM Well said Constance! That is exactly my point, look forward to your entry!

Emile Pinet February 27, 2017 at 10:28 AM This is a hauntingly poignant poem that poetically draws on the allure of "being different" to set a scene that creates a memorable moment in the subconscious mind, achieving the goal of shock and awe. Emile. John Hamilton February 27, 2017 at 12:43 PM Thanks Emile, that was my point, there was no shock and awe, because what used to shock people is now "normal", funny how gradually we get used to change, and are not shocked anymore because everything is "ok", right and wrong now is nothing more than personal preference.

Kim Rodrigues February 27, 2017 at 9:53 AM Trying to be different, as many are, can make you bleed into all the other watercolors...lol! I love people and they can't be judged by outward appearances. John Hamilton February 27, 2017 at 10:22 AM I agree, we shouldn't judge by appearances, only God reads hearts. However we cannot ignore that the world has changed, and although we do not judge, God will, and let's hope we are on the right side. Thanks for your comments!

Chris Green February 27, 2017 at 9:38 AM Loved this John and it is so appropriate for these times we face, but I also remember back in the late 60's early 70's, I was considered a freak too. Funny how age makes us frighteningly normal. :) Kim Rodrigues February 27, 2017 at 9:55 AM LOL...Chris! (Re: John Hamilton's "People Scare Me") look at the rockers of the past...they too, age! We all go down with the ship. But for Jesus! :) John Hamilton February 27, 2017 at 9:48 AM Signs, signs, everywhere signs, long haired freaky people, need not apply, I remember well. Thanks for the visit and comments, you're almost always first to comment, I appreciate your thoughtful words.