by Steven Kent

“Oxford House with Shark Sculpture on Roof Made Heritage Site Despite Owner’s Objection…
[The owner’s father] installed the shark without the approval of local officials
because he didn’t think they should have the right to decide what art people see,
and the council spent years trying to remove the sculpture.”
—The Guardian

Please help me understand: My father
Makes a piece of art you hate.
For years you go to so much bother
Laboring to legislate
Removal of its public viewing;
All your efforts fail, and now
I learn that you have turned to doing
Just the opposite, and how!
Today you say his work is wanted
In this quaint historic town.
You bloody hypocrites—undaunted,
I should tear the damn thing down!