What you have to sell,
They don’t want,
But that doesn’t mean
It has no value,
Just that this is
Not the right audience.
Somewhere out there are
People who appreciate
What you offer.
Remember that,
No matter what happens on
Any particular day,
You’re always wonderful.
Making unilateral decisions
Based on self-serving,
Intentionally, maliciously
Skewed information without
The slightest bit of
Awareness or concern for
Fact or fairness,
A system that prizes
Conformity, obedience.
Dead faces executing orders,
Unconcerned, unfeeling.
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.
He was dissatisfied with his life and
Let everyone know about it.
A pummeling stream of invectives and
Vituperation aimed at anything or
Anyone in the vicinity.
Relentless exasperation and acrimony.
Dumping a full can of summer garbage on
Anyone unfortunate enough to inquire about
His day. A steady slow-motion fall onto
A mattress of rocks and glass shards.
The rage arising
From not having a voice,
Being denied the
Dignity of sharing
What’s on one’s mind,
Participating as an equal
In the conversation,
Listened to,
Uninterrupted,
Treated as someone
Who matters.
Many people said he wouldn’t succeed and
He didn’t because he listened to them.
Many people said she wouldn’t succeed and
She gave up because she believed them.
Many people said they wouldn’t succeed and
They discarded their vision.
Many people say all kinds of things,
Preferring to reside on the periphery of
Vulnerability and courage rather than jump in
The maelstrom and prove their mettle.
Easy to hold someone back when you’re
Already behind. Avert your ears.
Wear your clothes like me
Wear your hair like me.
Wear your beliefs like me.
Drive the same vehicle as me.
Drive the people around you
Crazy like me.
Drive yourself into the
Ground like me.
Who you are, where you come from,
Who you worship is my concern.
What music do you listen to?
To whom do you listen?
Who are you like me?
Such a low trust reservoir,
All it took was
Speaking up one time.
Against the rules,
Only authorized, one-way,
Superficial talk allowed.
That was the last time
They got together.
What passes for normal.
Death of enlightenment,
Adherence to propaganda
Instead of fact,
Denigrating science
For dogma,
Lifeless eyes,
Barren consciences,
The emotionless cruelty of
Sociopaths.
