It’s a frigid day
In Antarctica and
In the hearts of
Five pompous penguins appointed
To make lofty decisions.
Deferring to a small group
Of the fattest birds,
They cackle self-righteously
While funneling sustenance
To the select few.
Their benefactors
Squawk knowingly and
Slip them a few extra fish
While multitudes
Starve on the shore.
Where are your papers?
Show me your identification.
Crooked smiles betray
Inner brokenness.
Limit the rights of others,
Satisfy thirst for control,
Demean – marginalize – subdue.
Imposition of capricious rules,
Ostensibly to keep the order,
De facto keeping people down.
Nothing but complete subservience
Will do for reactionaries
Who have never known anything
But abusing power.
In comes the destructor with
Righteous carriage and
Assured gait, a gift not
Beholden to human niceties or
Cumbersome compassion.
Methodically eviscerates all
He dislikes with swift saber
Strokes of skepticism and
Tantrum. He knows the way and
Will get it one way or another.
What a wonderful place to live.
You couldn’t afford it.
I have an opinion.
Let’s look at it this way.
I know about this.
How did you know that?
I like to do my own thing.
Let’s do mine.
I have a great story.
That reminds me of…
Outraged that their longstanding
Position is being challenged,
They scramble out angrily
From their holes,
Attacking anyone
Who doesn’t fit the profile,
Obnoxiously making everything
Worse for everyone,
Terrified of equality.
They say it’s
Not about race,
But it is.
They say it’s
Not about bigotry,
But it is.
They say it’s
Not about prejudice,
But it is.
It’s always so great when everyone
In the group falls in line, goes with
The program, follows the rules,
Laughs at the same jokes,
Talks about familiar topics,
Understands the same references.
A group of high school students
Eyeing each other, clamoring to
Be heard, preening, posing, straining to
Get along until one word, a look,
A perception, pierces fragile skin.
Cracks appear, filled with hurts.
A kind gesture, friendly hello,
Warm greetings, fond memories
Shared, messages exchanged.
Implicit, comfortable trust renewed.
A unique opportunity to translate
Goodwill into cash, awkwardly
Project, ascribe meaning, sell.
A devalued person, a commodity,
To be used.
Reveling in their
Ordinariness,
Smug about their
Unsettling ability
To celebrate the
Mundane,
Exalting the typical,
Keeping everyone at
The same level,
Bland,
Compliant,
Weeding out those who
Don’t conform.
