He was mesmerized by the sound of
People cheering in adulation.
His hunger was satisfied by
Constant compliments. At the
End of the day, he looked online at
The throngs of admirers captivated by
His every movement and utterance.
Before he went to sleep, he watched
The television presenters inform the
World about his latest projects.
He turned off the light, alone with
Complete, desolate emptiness.
Something unexpected supervenes.
Interrupts the day, reorganizes
Carefully ordered schedule,
Rearranges blocks of time and
Expectation, elicits an outpouring of
Vituperative discontent.
She searched a long time for that
One true love, the prince charming
Who would ride in on a white horse and
Sweep her off her feet,
The perfect gentleman who would
Tend to her every need and
Lavish her with romance and passion,
The chiseled, courageous protector
Who would rescue her at
The most harrowing moments,
The soul mate to make her whole.
She searched a long time,
He never appeared, didn’t exist.
She continued her journey and
Learned to love herself and
The real person she found.
It’s hard to step out of your house
When all you’ve ever known is your
House and all you’ve ever been
Told about is your house.
There are monsters out there
Who want to destroy you. You were
Warned by those who consumed you
For control and meaning.
Laugh a dry, clipped, hard cackle
Born of circumstance and necessity.
Spew words that diminish and
Marginalize humanity.
Give just enough affection at infrequent
Intervals to leave the vulnerable
Wondering if they measure up.
Cast judgment on those who don’t
Meet arbitrary requirements
Exuding from chronic hurt.
Is there anything more frightening
Than a man with angry eyes
Walking toward you with intention?
Is there anything more frightening
Than a man with confused eyes
Talking long about nothing?
Is there anything more frightening
Than a man with heartless eyes
Imposing his convictions?
Lie to me,
I’m ready to accept what
You say as true.
See in me the weaknesses
You can exploit for your
Own advancement.
Lie to me,
I’m willing to suspend my
Disbelief because I never had
It in the first place and I’m
Not ready to deal with
The pain.
He worked hard and built up a
Profitable company that hired
Bright young college kids under
The pretense of providing a
Management job.
He worked them as hard as one could
Work people. Most didn’t survive but
The few who did were a good fit for the
Towel snapping and unempathic
Worldview required to hang on.
An old man opened one eye
And saw what was on that side.
He opened the other eye and
Saw what was on that side.
He opened both eyes and saw
The entire landscape.
He closed both eyes and
Saw everything else.
