Stand Your Concession
Please remember to switch
all handguns to silent
before shooting
impolite moviegoers
for texting
during the film
About the poet Shawnte Orion
Shawnte Orion’s poem offers a sharp, satirical glimpse into modern social irritations with his signature wit and dark humor. Known for blending pop culture and personal observations, Orion’s poetry often takes unexpected turns that leave readers both laughing and reflecting.
To learn more about Shawnte Orion’s unique style and his contributions to Arizona’s literary scene, visit his bio page on AZpoetry.com.
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Summary
In six short lines, Orion takes the familiar annoyance of someone texting during a movie and escalates the response into an absurd instruction involving silenced handguns.
Analysis
The poem works because it initially sounds like ordinary theater etiquette. “Please remember” suggests the polite instructional language of signs shown before a film. The second line abruptly reveals that the requested courtesy is not silencing a phone but silencing a handgun. From there, the poem maintains a completely straight face while disproportionate violence is treated as another matter of movie-theater manners. Even the title participates in the joke, combining the language of confrontation with the concession stand. Its brevity is essential: there is no explanation after the reversal, only the absurd premise left hanging.