Hamlet

BBRNT2B? 2BORNOT 2BEE?

BBRNO2B? BBORNOT BEBE?

2BRNT2B? 2BRNTOB?

2BORWAT? CNTDCYD.

NDCISV. SLINGS. ARROWZ.

SEA OF TROUBLZ.

TODIE. PRCHNCE 2DREEEM.

YACKITY YACKYAK.

ITHINK 2MUCH. SHOULDI

MAYYBEE JSTDOIT?

--Daniel Nussbaum, from PL8SPK (HarperCollins, 1994)

Isn't this a great poem? Each of the poems in PL8SPK were written entirely from words and phrases contained on registered vanity plates in California. When I first read this poem years ago, it seemed extraordinarily weird (if fascinating). It took me some major deciphering to read it. But now in a culture of texting and even (dare I say it?) lolspeak, it looks pretty normal and hardly unusual. It's easy to read now, too! And it's still funny!