What can you say . . . To A Plagiarist?
Merely an expression of disdain, not directed at any individual. Please comment, if so inclined.
To A Plagiarist
Approval of your name
with works that you purloin
in search of great acclaim
is counterfeited coin.
You slink about in cowl
stealing sweetness from the light
like hooting of an owl
looting sustenance by night.
It is surprising how someone can willingly plagiarize to me. I understand a phrase could get stuck in someone’s head and they unwittingly use it. But when you find a clear cut case of theft and are passionate about what you are doing, such a thing can make your head explode. Shouldn’t stealing lower the self-esteem of the plagiarist even further?
There is definitely a line that can be crossed, even in Post-Modernism. Great influence can even be understood, but out right lifting is pitiful.
Your rhymes in this are sophisticated - purloin, coin - cowl, owl.
Thank you so much, I see it all the time.
The use of owls as metaphor seems fitting, as their calls have oft been used in clandestine operations.
Careful, get it published or someone will plagiarize it. Sorry I’ve been bitter about plagiarism ever since someone stole one of my poems for school. Very good poem.
Actually I thought you WERE the person this was talking about in it’s lackluster petrine manner.
But if you aren’t PB, congrats on sounding like him.