dire reflection

know
deep inside
within your very innermost being that
you need
corrections,
for all the world outside screams at itself that it needs to be better, faster, quicker,
number &
full of more ways to
profit
profit
profit
before all else.

see the image you’re supposed to be
airbrushed on the magazine
bigger breasts
bigger dick
flatter waist
tighter butt
bigger eyes
lusher lips
longer legs
pecks that point
softer skin
bigger bi’s & tri’s
stronger
more energetic
young &
forever thinner
(you can’t be too thin).

hear the words you’re supposed to believe
broadcasted on your tv screen,
that your nation is right in every way
that history is on its side
that it acts in your best interest
that you alone are part of the greater process
that your help is needed so that it may flourish
successfully
that without the support of everyone it will
collapse
that the wealth will be spread amongst the
many
that there will be no nuclear annihilation of everything
as long as the big strong
policeman
is
in
charge.

suffer the guilt you’re supposed to feel
given from the pulpit like a disease
spread to everyone you know, forcing them to
tremble in the midst of
absolutely no evidence of anything
more than what is right in front of you
staring back
stale &
as real as you wish it wasn’t---

but, alas,
it is.