unmansionables get it

the world may seem upside down

for those used to

being top hog,

getting first slops.

the pecking order now cheeps cheeps

inside the egg, that

perfect egg.


i say nothing to the man

on the contagion bus

as he picks his nose,

flicks a booger

he looks cross-eyed at,

eating what won't fly off.


i do however remark

to the stranger

in the entryway to the grocery store,

bent over forwards

as their jeans have crumpled down

past their knees, mooning

me and the worker spraying down the carts,

"hey dude pull up

your pants" is my only advice,

moving past toward

the perishables.


dignity in such situations

is highly suspect. better to be

the better part of human.


_________



kids don't get it

they can't. kids, used to hiding

playing peek a boo


hiding hiding as mom and dad

call out where are you?



parents don't get it,

hiding in their retirement

with a pantry full of 

whiskey and other staple goods,

watching the pond scum

reflect the clouds clouds clud.


government doesn't get it,

in their secure locations

with drones dropping off bonbons

and coveted life sustaining products.

where are you? we call into the attic,

down the pipes in submarines.

AWOL and busy walling off

so that the public

doesn't get

it.





4-5-20

portland