"Tell Us What You Know", a poem born out of Facebook 'like' stinginess.

Tell Us What You Know [Part 3 of my Social Media Trilogy]

An original poem by Chrome Dome Mike Kimbro

Consider reading along to my Spoken Verse Performance.

VERSE 1

At thirteen years, I came of age.

And my parents knew I'd be needing,

My own tablet, iPads were the rage,

To eat up what Facebook would be feeding.

VERSE 2

My folks hoped I'd be a good citizen,

But my conduct gave them indigestion.

Hearing how priests and nuns discipline,

Private school looked good, 'til I was questioned.

The priest said:

CHORUS

Tell us what you know,

About Chrome Dome Mike.

It seems there is a poem,

By him that you once "Liked".

Your body and soul's nourishment.

A sacred mission that we are on.

We'd love to issue encouragement,

But frankly, my boy, you're too far gone,

So understand why we have to pass...

You gave Chrome Dome Mike a "Like".

VERSE 3

Hoping to make up for parenting failures,

They tried to get me into athletics.

Coaches knew how to deal with bad behavior.

But my showing at tryouts was pathetic.

VERSE 4

The Marine Corp. turned around many young lives.

So my folks spoke to a lady recruiter.

When she said: "Frankly, something doesn't jive."

They didn't even attempt to dispute her.

When she grilled me:

CHORUS

Tell me what you know,

About Chrome Dome Mike.

It seems there is a poem,

By him that you once "Liked".

Before you got through Verse 1,

You could have said: "About face!"

But no, you read on and had fun.

As a soldier, you'd be a disgrace.

So we're gonna have to pass on you,

For giving Chrome Dome Mike one "Like".

VERSE 5

I met a female who was impressive.

In both brains and goals. And hey, she was built.

Soon she prodded me to be expressive.

And I opened up about my Facebook guilt.

VERSE 6

Our love bloomed, so we talked about marriage.

As couples do when romantically involved.

Checked with her dad, who had never disparaged,

Me. Still, he had a query to be solved.

So he asked me:

CHORUS

Tell me what you know,

About Chrome Dome Mike.

It seems there is a poem,

By him that you once "Liked".

Our daughter is a drama queen,

As anyone who's met her knows.

And on occasion, she can be mean.

In light of that, promise to read only prose,

And I'm willing to overlook the one time,

That you gave Chrome Dome Mike a "Like".

VERSE 7

Relocating, we moved across the nation.

Our motives were easily understood.

To get away from my reputation!

Sadly, running from my past did no good.

VERSE 8

The blessing of children finally came.

We searched for nannies who were to our liking.

Looking high and low for the "Poppins" last name.

Who we got had the manners of a viking.

She asked me,

CHORUS

Tell me what you know,

About Chrome Dome Mike.

It seems there is a poem,

By him that you once "Liked".

If saddled with sins of the father,

Children must develop thick skin.

Before today, I've never said: "Why bother."

But in this case, I don't know where to begin.

So, I'm gonna have to turn you down,

For giving Chrome Dome Mike a "Like".

VERSE 9

Late in life, I spent lots of time in crowds.

Which made me easy pickin's for COVID.

Always assumed I'd have a home in the clouds.

But St. Peter was aware of what I did.

VERSE 10

So, I took the express elevator,

Down, hoping John's imagery was inaccurate.

Lucky for me, Satan's not a verse hater.

Mike's on a list for Hell's poet laureate.

Old Satan said:

CHORUS

Tell me what you know,

About Chrome Dome Mike.

It seems there is a poem,

By him that you once "Liked".

While you were merely a child,

You decided between wrong and right.

Don't think of this as being exiled.

My goal for you is eternal delight,

In a Trump Tower Hades penthouse.

Just for giving Chrome Dome Mike one "Like".

The End