Swinging Above the Streets

     Practice homework for Dr. Mackie's Poetry Writing class at Rogers State University, fall 2015 semester. I left the line-markers in here to show how a sestina is structured. Peter Parker's life seemed like it fit this format well, and poetry's about the only angle I haven't written about Spider-Man yet. "Goblin" as an end-word was a bit difficult to work with.

1 “With great power comes great responsibility.”

2 They call me Spider-Man, say I’m amazing.

3 But really, I’m just Peter Parker;

4 Sometimes-photographer for the Daily Bugle.

5 Will I ever be able to get the girl?

6 That’s just one of my life’s many goblins.

6 Keeping those I care for safe from the Green Goblin

1 And stopping crime in general is my responsibility.

5 I got problems, too; doubt I’ll ever get the girl…

2 They call me Spider-Man, some say I’m amazing.

4 Others….not so much. Like Jameson at the Daily Bugle.

3 …But selling papers is his job. High school was Peter Parker’s.

3 Since that night at the library where Uncle Ben parked,

6 And everything… I swear, have you ever seen a goblin?

4 My uncle’s words have been echoing like a bugle:

1 “With great power comes great responsibility.”

2 My gift is my curse. And the irony is amazing.

5 Heroes just don’t kill the girl…

5 Gwen…she was perfect. We were a team. She’s the girl

3 Who eagerly leapt at adventure… And now she’s parked

2 Under a cemetery headstone? The ache is amazing…

6 And then to find that Harry’s dad is the Goblin…

1 It’s my responsibility to keep them safe, I know. But responsibility

4 Isn’t much fun sometimes. (E.g., slander in the Bugle.)

4 Occasionally JJJ coughs up a hairball and the Bugle

5 Says something complimentary.

1 Aunt May worries; makes sense, me being her responsibility.

3 After my parents died in the car crash, they were the closest Parkers.

6 I’m sure they thought my actions caused by Puck or some other goblin,

2 But when I ask, she says, “You’re my nephew, Peter. And I love you. You’re amazing.”

2 So through the City’s streets I go a-maze-ing

4 Timing shutterspeeds to get Spidey pics into the Bugle

6 Snarkily halting crooks and foiling Doc Ock and the Green Goblin

5 MJ Watson…we grew up together, if there were a girl

3 That I could…maybe… I’m not good enough. I’m just Peter Parker.

1 And I know that with great power comes great responsibility.”

The Avengers have an amazing responsibility;

I’m more local, dealing with the goblins at the Bugle,

Upholding the Parkers’ legacy while chasing after the girl.