DDCPoetry

Original poem reprinted online here: "Demonstrated Melancholy" by Nate Pritts Originally read: May 30, 2013 More information about the Poet: Nate Pritts So I just read Nate Pritts bio on Poetry Foundation, and, yes, this poem harkens back to the humor and play of Frank O' Hara, but this poem has something different about it.  Not really like a sinister undertone per se, but this poem definitely straddles the line between actually saying something too serious and/or mocking the subject too hard. With the first stanza, the speaker dictates a sense of command with, "I would like to request a volunteer. / Please raise your hand" and this is normal enough, but then there are requirements that don't necessarily contrast each other, but brings new perspective on the requirements.  For example, "only if you are a lovely singer / in possession of your own voice."  There's a physical requirement, but also the idea of possession and ownership comes into q...