An uneasy sense
Of impending dread
Permeates her being.
She got the inevitable call,
The one where they unilaterally
Announce they’re coming.
Time to clean too much
So that no ill-advised
Comments are uttered.
Always such a pleasure
To have them inevitably
Descend upon her.
Such a grand fund-raiser,
Everyone dressed to the nines,
Flashing sequins, air kisses,
Hearty handshakes,
Blindingly white teeth,
Taught, shiny faces.
Impeccable pedigrees announced
At the door (new money
Will get you in too)
A chance to hobnob with
The movers and shakers,
Support a worthy cause,
The joy of charitable
Giving to perpetuate
The established order.
They get up each day
And do whatever it takes
To maintain the status quo,
Keep everything as stable
As possible, avoid
Anything resembling courage,
Eschewing authenticity
In favor of familiarity,
Comfort, sameness,
Just trying to make it
Moment to moment,
An ordinary existence,
Devoid of passion.
Raised to be
Hard, tough,
Infallible.
A
Flimsy
Facade.
Outwardly
Confident,
Inwardly fragile.
He hopes to himself
That he can one day
Transcend this drab world
Of daily gatherings at the
Same old bar with
The same friends talking
About the same exploits
From high school,
Angry at never having
Left this town to enjoy
New vistas,
Closing hearts and minds
Railing against
Anyone who doesn’t
Share their misery.
