“Join the Wrinkle Resistance” by Ryan Fitzpatrick

Published in FAKE MATH (Snare, 2007)

Thanks to Ryan Fitzpatrick for allowing me to reprint this poem.

If you are one of my students, consider the following:

1. What is the difference between the language that we encounter in poetry, and the language that we encounter in advertising? What’s the effect of placing advertising language in a poem?

2. What is the “wrinkle resistance”? How does your interpretation of this phrase matter to an understanding of the poem?

3. What in the wider culture does the poem seem to criticize? Is there a way it also seems to criticize poetry?

 

JOIN THE WRINKLE RESISTANCE

Grindaecology! Don’t be a schmo!

Free small molecules in your slacks!

Join the linen revival! Carnival travel

pants! Or maybe, incromectant cramps!

Antistatic butyl rubber: it’s free! Or

should be! Bob your pants on up!

Retire your iron! Freedom flat front

slacks! Inspect diet and lifestyle!

Easy-care sheets combine hot sex with

wheat! High performance fabric!

Yarn bulks up! All skin types quick dry!

Against your junk! Secret hiding pocket!