by J.J. (12th Grade)

Cars line the streets; they huddle, squish and cram,
And attitudes implode like mandarins
That spoil: the purpose of a traffic jam.

Yup, it’s providence you didn’t take the tram:
Community is built and fostered when
Cars line the streets; they huddle, squish and cram.

These folk unite like one big angry fam—
Except for traffic cops and patient men
Who spoil the purpose of a traffic jam;

The latter hate society. Their sham
Is shirking righteous wrath that once again
Cars line the streets; they huddle, squish and cram.

Still, most are wiser—each of their horns slam
That one essential missing voice. Has-beens
That spoil the purpose of a traffic jam

Would lose free speech and thoughtful discourse, and clam
A stopper on the treasure we must win.
But cars line the streets; they huddle, squish and cram
That spoil: the purpose of a traffic jam.