This was based on Ben’s request for a poem about how diversity in Pokémon relates to diversity in people.
(I owe a debt of gratitude to Robin and Finn for educating me about Pokémon.)
Here’s what I know about Pokémon.
That there’s a lot.
And they fight. A lot.
It’s not like a bloodthirsty battle
It’s more like a match.
They don’t bite, or scratch
At least, not enough to do damage.
They’re not out to kill
It’s a game of skill.
They have skills. Every Pokémon’s different
That’s kind of their thing
When they’re in the ring.
Here’s what I know about people
There’s really a lot
And they fight. A lot.
Sometimes they compete, and then sometimes
They maim, and they kill
It makes me feel ill
They have skills. Every person is different
But some people say
That is not their way
They don’t like people who are not like them
But how can that be?
It seems odd to me.
If you have a lot of the same
Well then you’re incomplete
And you can’t compete.
Diversity isn’t a flaw,
Any trainer would know:
It’s just how you grow.
Tom Juniper Poetry 