Errant Demise Poem by Tom Courtney

1. People that know me
had grown to despise me
flies lit upon my face
the air was stale
I was stale
and yet

I chose to revel in it
I figured
there was nothing one could do
to change his fate
but at least
I could treat scorn with scorn

I knew they scorned me
It was obvious from their blank expressions
I didn’t pretend to know everything
but some things you could just sense

Now my situation is not that difficult really
That is what people always say
ignorant people actually
for we are all marvelously complex

And it is to that complexity that I say
I may be aberrant
but at least I have not lost my personality

But please
don’t misinterpret these feeble words
I am not making a political statement
regarding the banality
that creeps into our lives

Or as to its source or causes
or even as to its implications
far be it from me to say

2. They all wear masks
the hallways are like aisles in a clothing store
the foyer resembles a grand ball
the count and countess
are disguised as peasants

And the feeble and disinherited
dress up as kings
looking around I realized
the stupendous irony of it all
Everyone is wearing two sets of masks
the second set being the ones
they don’t take off at night
I was so wise

3. I knew there were fleas
jumpers that’s what they are
lively critters little acrobats
They bred on the animals we tamed
and brought into our homes

I had never seen them actually
they hid away in the carpeting and upholstery
for no purpose except to breed
all part of the harmony monotony

Whichever way you will have it
whatever suits a man is what I say
Our affairs don’t bear closer scrutiny
that is where madness begins

I won’t go spiraling off
the way some do
I’ll be contented with my lot

4. The windows were smudged and covered with film
One day I carved a large round spot
in the pane to see out
And the next day I didn’t care
One’s opinions were one’s own
and best kept put with minor exceptions

I was fidgety and my head itched
I lay down and stared at the stain
in the ceiling