Once I saw graffiti as vibrant/authentic/raw/revolutionary/ proletarian;
Trendy art theory's rebellious flag.
An aspiring urban retro-funk barbarian,
(before Hip-hop turned **** and embraced criminality)
I had my tag!

But I came to see, in time,
Ego-driven urban artistic undertakings as, simply... crime.
Defacing public and/or private property,
Whether wall, bridge, truck or train,
with cheesy ghetto graphic style coopted from aerosol-addled youth
(the spraypaint's often shoplifted, sad truth— )
Is an ugly visual refrain.

Mark these words; tag this allegory:
Dogs also spray to mark out their territory...

Demonic smurfs, cartoon calligraphy, at best plebeian esthetic pleasures,
Cry out for Singaporean measures
Where the caning
beats explaining.

   "Word up"