Poem - My Face Tat Says I Voted

Here's the poem I wrote based on the idea that was explored in my previous podcast episode. To me, the poem presents the idea better than the actual explanation, which is part of why I enjoy the medium. Here's the poem: Not sure if you follow hip hop,But lately there's been talk aboutThe rules of rap beef andHow far is too far... At what level of fameIs it ok to hate on another person's spouse, or dying best friend? If the game being playedIs a cat and mouse charadeOf the mouth,Mindless entertainmentCharacter assassination viaOratory acme bricks,When does the harm come in? When the hustle never endsThe show never quits Not sure if you follow politicsBut lately there's been A lot of talk about the Elevated rhetoricAnd who's responsibleFor the violence In what shape of spaceIs it ok to hate? Home studio,Writers room,Or Oval office? If attention is the name of the game,Why not cry wolf?And when nobody comes running,Assume the role yourself? Not sure if you follow me or notBut the other day I got a lot of commentsAbout a decision I can't undo I voted. Yeah I got the sticker for social proofBut please hold your "yeah"'s and "woo"'s because I voted for Ted Cruz And while you carefully select your preferred dialect of booLet me say I voted for Trump too.  Decisions I can't undo.   I'm not here to explain whyOr to debate the issuesJust to share my point of view Cause the moment I tell you WHO I voted for is the moment of "truth or fake news, The "I Voted" sticker turns into a face tattoo Not sure if you follow the youth,But they are more than willing to Tattoo their face, dye their hair red or blueHave scandals with women andTalk about opioid addiction until you do Now does that sound like a rapper or a politician to you?  I have a scarlet letterAcross my cheekA symbol of free speechIdeas I believeWith my own set of shadows behind me My face tat says I voted And as much as I condemnInciting violence, aggressive speech, misogyny, and money making policies,From MAGA Hats to Wu Tang's CREAM It seems that's what's running the country Why does the beat of our own drum always sounds the catchiest Not sure if you catch my drift,But I'm trying to make sense of whether Life imitates art Or ifRap imitates politics Do I listen to my conscious Or whatever the trending topic is? Play one party trackOr listen to both sides of the media spin? Sign with a labelOr stay independent? Now, that's what I call an entertaining argument!   Time for a definition: A Potemkin VillageIn politics and economics isAny Construction built solelyTo deceive others into thinking that a situation isBetter than it really is In rap, that's called cappingIn politics, that's called a campaign Regardless of if you wear a Power tie or icy chains, The number for the money phoneStays the same Rappers went from being the dealer to the fiendPoliticians went from diplomatic to obscene And we all live inbetween the web of clicks and streams And just like Lincoln,We will watch the theater play out untilIt's too late to avoid becoming the victim  While everybody keeps pressing playOn a release dateOr election day  Those who have ears to hear will listenFollow me: @aarondunnworks Get on the email list at This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.poweracronym.com