Emile Pinet Poet Rhyme

Zoot Suit

An exaggerated style, the zoot suit
was a statement in clothes.
Yet it fell into ill repute,
history shows.

Outlandishly flamboyant and distinct:
comedy was its roots.
Clothes came from the Harlem precinct:
called culture suits.

With their wide lapels and baggy trousers:
they were ostentatious.
And favored by rabble-rousers;
loose and spacious.

Worn by African-American youth
and poor Mexican teens.
They looked rebellious and uncouth;
much more than jeans.

Oft accessorized with a gold key chain:
and a fedora hat.
Frisco sailors showed their disdain;
armed with a bat.

More about color than flashy fashion:
racial riots broke out.
All those beat without compassion:
left little doubt.

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Sam Kauffman January 24, 2023 at 12:09 PM Back with congratulations on your winning placement Emile. So creative and fun yet with a very relevant social commentary. Blessings my friend! Emile Pinet January 24, 2023 at 1:12 PM Thanks, Sam, as always I welcome and appreciate your comments, my friend, Emile.

Constance La France January 24, 2023 at 7:36 AM Emile, congratulations on your placement in my Writing Challenge - Zip, Zig, Zag, Zing, I love your words, and image well done, Constance Emile Pinet January 24, 2023 at 8:39 AM Thanks, Constance, your contests are always fun to write for, my friend, Emile.

Sara Kendrick January 18, 2023 at 3:40 AM Creative way to go with this challenge. Congratulations on your winner. Sara. Emile Pinet January 18, 2023 at 8:02 AM Thanks, Sara, as always, I welcome and appreciate your comments, my friend, Emile.

Christuraj Alex January 17, 2023 at 10:44 PM Very beautiful writing.on Zoot Suit. Congratulations! Emile Pinet January 18, 2023 at 8:01 AM Thanks, Christuraj, I welcome and appreciate your comments, my friend, Emile.

Unseeking Seeker January 17, 2023 at 7:39 PM Entertaining as also informative and of course, exquisitely penned as always, Emile ~ congratulations on your win, going all the way to six stanzas against the minimum requirement of three, which most contestants chose Emile Pinet January 18, 2023 at 8:00 AM Thanks, Unseeking, you are very gracious with your time and compliments, I appreciate both, Emile.

William Kelii Kekaula January 17, 2023 at 5:46 PM Those surrounding issues were prevalent in my simpler days, Emile, being of Hawaiian ancestry affected a camaraderie amongst understanding soul brothers from the East Oakland Projects and el hermanos from Jingle Town. We're too young and too old for the effects of trouble because fun was in the way. The Patty Hearst fiasco and ensuing food riots were blocks away, and the other blocks stood the Black Panthers, as well as both Colombian cartels. Congrats on your 1st Place win, Aloha William Emile Pinet January 18, 2023 at 7:49 AM Thank you, Hilo, your comments are most welcomed and appreciated, Emile.

Kim Rodrigues January 17, 2023 at 5:40 PM Loved the description of the zoot suit, the effect on society. So sad the tension at the end. Congratulations on a great write, Emile! Emile Pinet January 18, 2023 at 7:46 AM Thanks, Kim, I welcome and appreciate your comments, my friend, Emile.

Sam Kauffman December 21, 2022 at 10:43 AM Very creative Emile along with a poetic history lesson! Best wishes for the contest and a Merry Christmas! Emile Pinet December 21, 2022 at 10:54 AM Thanks, Sam, and a Merry Christmas to you and yours my friend, Emile.