Write Your Own

The talentless, envious, plagiarist’s dream
Was to find someone’s ‘Works’ on a shelf or a beam
In a Pub, in a folder, alone and ignored
As the author lay slumped and as drunk as a lord

Stealthily taking those coveted sheets
He rushes off home via dimly lit streets
When his doors were all locked and the curtains drawn tight
He copied his windfall well into the night

First thing next day, not long after he’d phoned
He went to his agent with the stuff that he’d cloned
Dreaming of royalties and acclaim by his peers
But for him it was destined to end up in tears

There’s some gentlemen waiting for him in the hall
(His agent had asked two policemen to call)
“These poems aren’t yours, they’ve already been done
By that drunk in the pub, who is also my Son!”

So, if you aspire to a literary style
You should write your own poems or books but meanwhile
Twixt penning a story, blank verse or a rhyme
Keep your hands off my stuff or be Shamed for your Crime!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Gregory Avatar
March 21, 2016 at 7:38 AM
Rob! This was superb! Thank you so much for inviting me over to read your work. It wa really very good! The hook about the drunk in the pub being the son of the policeman was excellent! Great poem!
Bettridge Avatar
April 2, 2016 at 10:16 PM
Thanks Penny. btw, the 'Publishing Agent' was the (drunken poet) son's Dad who had asked the 'Two Policemen to Call'. The 'Come-Uppance' for that Plagiarist was 'Karma' at it's very best. One might even suppose that 'It Was Written'.
Delaney Avatar
January 30, 2016 at 9:40 PM
A humorous look at a serious subject. I could never understand what pride could come from stealing someone else's words. I guess that is the difference between the capable and the emotionally crippled LOl. SuZ
Delaney Avatar
January 31, 2016 at 1:00 PM
...a sick kind of instant gratification, I guess,!!
Bettridge Avatar
January 31, 2016 at 8:02 AM
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment SuZ. I guess some people get a kick out of immorally ripping off the creative work of others when they can, Because they can!
Allison Avatar
January 9, 2016 at 9:18 AM
Plagerism is a crime Rob I have seen it several times on soup one person even plagerised a souper's poem! I wrote a poem called 'to good to be you' such a shame people stoop so low to claim the work on another's as their own:-( hugs jan xx
Bettridge Avatar
January 9, 2016 at 10:38 AM
There is no honour in Plagiarising the creative work of others and sooner or later those that Plagiarise will get Outed and Shamed for it by their Peers and rightly so, Imo.
Bickerstaffe Avatar
December 27, 2015 at 5:27 PM
Brilliant Rob! I wish I'd written this! It's definitely the antithesis of plagiarism... it's just bloody good! Best wishes, Keith
Bettridge Avatar
December 28, 2015 at 8:33 PM
Thanks Keith. It seems that quite a few 'Soupers' empathise with this one as well.
Nunez Avatar
October 21, 2015 at 11:31 AM
Great write, Rob! Indeed, even if they don't end up doing time, these people will lose their self-respect, something worth more than a few pieces of written words. PS. Thanks for the visit earlier to my Plagiarism write. Kim
Bettridge Avatar
January 11, 2016 at 12:22 AM
I've tweaked the last line Kim to maintain the rhythm and import more substance impact to close the poem.
A  Avatar
February 15, 2015 at 9:20 AM
Rob, :) Congratulations on having your awesome poem featured on the soups Home Page. Hope you had a wonderful Valentines day. ~SKAT LOVE~
Chizoba Vincent Avatar
February 10, 2015 at 9:19 AM
Nice write up...very appealing
Sadig El Waad Avatar
February 10, 2015 at 2:43 AM
One thing I like in plagiarism is the fact that plagiriasm always ends up destroying its author. As Mystic Rose put it correctly "there is no pride in stealing someones work"But are we so sure to be original in our write? I wonder!
Bettridge Avatar
February 10, 2015 at 4:35 AM
Inspiration, from whatever source it is gleaned, to create is acceptable. Ripping off something someone else has already created is (Imo) Not. Plagiarists run the risk of being Outed as such (Ohhhh! The Shame of it all) but as they say in Thailand... 'Som num nah' (Serves them right)
Gillespie Avatar
February 9, 2015 at 9:51 PM
Very nice. It rolls right off the top of the tongue! Keep it up.
A   Avatar
February 8, 2015 at 4:02 PM
Rob, A nice warm WELCOME to poetry soup. I hope you have fun in this wonderful community. You'll find many friendly poets, who are ready to support and give positive feedback. I want to be the first to invite you on over to the contest page. I OFFER MY CONTEST in hopes it inspires you in some way. I will enjoy following you and your poetry:) This is a great way to start the New Year. Lucky Us, To Have you. Enjoy 2015, with New Poet Friends! @-> LINDA <-@
Bettridge Avatar
February 8, 2015 at 4:48 PM
'Linda' and 'SKAT', are two of the group, Who welcomed me warmly to 'Poetry Soup',They are poetic Sisters with different names, Who are supportive stalwarts and creative dames, To all fellow Soupers, I'm so pleased to say, That I'm happy to join you and in my own way, I'll be writing more soon but it's here I must pause, While I give you my thanks and a round of applause.
A  Avatar
February 8, 2015 at 3:17 PM
Rob, Stopping by with a nice, sweet Welcome to Poetry Soup. I will get much delight in reading and in time become familiar with your verse. As for now, I will greet you with the same smile others passed when I first joined the soup. Wishing you and your poetry the best. I hope you get to meet all the nice poets around here STARTING with me- SKAT :-) Please drop a hello and tell me a little about yourself if you wish. I would like to be your newest poetry soup "FRIEND" Hugs* SKAT
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