Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Les Quatre Cents Coups

There’s a universal roughness in the urchin years
a stark collision of freedom and neglect
that cuts across continents

Street-smart lads learn early on
an uncanny knack for reconnaissance
spotting weakness like distracted parents
slipping away unnoticed and nicking
everything from typewriters to fresh milk

Even the Amish let their boys run wild
these scenes recur in Stanley
Cherry Hill and Hampton Park
but nowhere better than 1950s Paris

Are we shocked?
Never

Do we miss it?
Sometimes


Inspired by Poetry on Wednesday prompt for the classic 1959 French film Les Quatre Cents Coups

1 comment:

  1. You have captured the spirit of the movie even though you haven't seen it.Was part of the new wave series. I'm a big fan of Truffaut. Have copies of all his movies.Didn't know that about the Amish.Big Tent Poetry is running a daily poem for April.Undecided yet.

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