Men in Black

Full moon rose in the sky, my written work complete.

I hit send without a proof

and promptly fell asleep.

✍️

The phone call came at work, “Black suits are at your door.

What crime have you committed?

They just ripped up the floor."

✍️

Panic raged through my mind; the comma splice existed.

If they find my laptop.

No doubt, I'll be arrested.

✍️

I ran from the office to cry and think, to brood

Upon return, I found,

My boss was in a mood.

✍️

"If you did what they say, with you, we won't conspire.

We cannot have criminals

Pack your things; you're fired."

✍️

Through cold dark streets, I ran, no friends to help I found.

In Grand Central, I hid.

I had to leave the town.

✍️

Ten black suits woke me up and bound my wrist with ties.

I demanded, "What's the charge?"

"Comma splice," they replied.

✍️

In a padded wagon, they took me to a jail.

I stood before a judge.

A bailiff cried, "All hail."

✍️

"Hear ye, Hear ye, hear ye, felony grammar crook.

You are guilty, and I charge.

Ten to life by the book."

✍️

Awakened from my dream, the bed all in a sweat.

Laziness had crept in.

My writing was a threat.

✍️

Bad grammar, I had learned, to ignore would be unwise.

I'm not going to jail

for a comma splice.

✍️

Oxford or Chicago rules will decide your fate

Break the law, and you'll find out.

The men in black await.