79 Poem by RIC BASTASA

pretenses

this is what
they want to see of you

a handsome face, strong arms, clean fingernails,
broad shoulders,
determined eyes that look always forward
scented ears
the best feet and
good standing,

to please them
you give those parts to all to them
and what you will get
in return is the
applause,

everybody is happy,
except you,
it was not you,
it will never be you,
you are in truth not the one that you really are
you only comply what what they want to see
and surely they will get them
they will get
what they see

you go inside your room
slowly disassemble yourself
all those beautiful parts

a handsome face, strong arms, clean fingernails,
broad shoulders,
determined eyes that look always forward
scented ears
the best feet and
good standing,

you lie in your bed without looking at the mirror
it takes only the rattling of your bones
to tell you who you really are
then you close your weary eyes
and sleep

the dream will join you in these truths