‘500 words’

‘500 words’

500 words is all you’re allowed

500 exactly will make us feel proud

500 words is all you’re allowed

One word more

and you’ll be disavowed

many more than that

and you’ll be disemvowelled;

500 words

‘Without counting the verbs?’

That sort of logic

my brain, disturbs;

You are only allowed

500, no more

Any more than that,

And we’ll show you the door

500 words

exactly, or less;

if you deign to write more,

what will happen?

Just guess.

500 words

and you will be approved,

501, 2, 3, 4…

and you’ll wish

you’d written less,

not more.