HUCK FINN
by Shay Martin
A ballad for the postmodern jester, in the vein of Rush's "Tom Sawyer." Where that work concerns the Tom Sawyer-type, this is about the Huck Finn-type.
Postmodern jester, wide, wide grin,
Self-taught seer, he’s today’s Huck Finn.
Though his words be not so quick, don’t his truths try contradict.
His reserve, a quiet defense, while he parses your contents.
What he quips about your company is what is ill with society.
See the style, see the smile, see the grimace, see the guile.
Today’s Huck Finn, he gets on ‘spite you,
And the things he does say go right by you.
No, his words be not so quick, but their import’s true medick.
Your outbursts, he can predict, as well as coming conflict.
What he shuns about your company is what is wrong with society.
Watch the say, watch the stay, watch the win, watch the way.
Exit the jester, today’s Huck Finn,
Assured seer, he’s reason for the grin.
Mr. Martin is a 2016 graduate of UT-Austin still living in the Austin area.