I would find it hard to write something like this about a living person -
and I think using a strict verse form helps to distance it from mere
newsiness. That said, the rhythms and word order could do with some
attention if it isn't going to feel lumpy at times

Was she really that bad? And would I have done the same given the same
temptations??

Terri )O(

-----Original Message-----
From: The Pennine Poetry Works [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Marcus Bales
Sent: 08 March 2004 12:40
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Martha Stewart


Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart, child of hype,
        Grew rich by selling lifestyle passion;
She branded every likely type
        Of changing fashion.

Martha loved her show, to sell
        Her sense of style to every viewer;
But from tales employees tell
        She's Martha Skewer.

Behind the scenes, though, Martha sighed
        For IPOs and corporate raiding --
And dreamed up schemes to try to hide
        Insider trading.

Martha mourned that party favors
        Soups, desserts, and canapes
Were nothing to the secret savors
        Of Wall Street's ways.

Martha cursed the common stocks
        And eyed a dividend with loathing
She thought they fared like home-made frocks
        To designer clothing.

Martha loved the Merrill Lynches,
        The ones whose biggest sells and buys
Were market-making semi-cinches
        For just the guys.

Martha scorned the laws that cover
        Publicly traded financial transactions,
And now may have to choose a lover
        From prison factions.

The Martha Stewart trial's furors
        Show it's Martha Stewart's living
Which ordinary women jurors
        Aren't forgiving.