I Wish That I Was Shallow

        I wish that I was shallow
        With a blinker on each eye
        I could cast my vision down that tunnel
        Without ever asking why
        I could be oblivious to everyone
        And anything at all
        I could live life like a vulture
        Without hearing conscience call

        I wish that I was shallow
        And escape the thoughts that haunt my mind
        I could sleep on sheets of satin
        And never draw the blind
        I could walk among the homeless
        And look each one in the eye
        I could sail past every empty cup
        And smile as I strolled by

        I wish that I was shallow
        I could drive a real expensive car
        Like a Lambourghini or Ferrari
        Or a V12 Jaguar
        I could cruise the poorer side of town
        Puffing on a Cuban cigar
        And smirk behind thousand dollar sunglasses
        Because I'd know how jealous you are

        I wish that I was shallow
        I could count my treasure every day
        I could use people as my chess pieces
        In my manipulative way
        I could beat, cheat and defeat them
        As I watch my profits rise
        And I could laugh at those worse off than me
        As I sail the sun filled skies

        I wish that I was shallow
        I could eat when I was full
        I would drink when I'm not thirsty
        My weight I'd never have to pull
        I would live strictly by my own rules
        What is yours is mine is mine
        As I pray on weak individuals
        Trapped on the wrong side of the line

        I wish that I was shallow
        I would never fear a fall
        I could hate for the sake of hating
        And show no tolerance at all
        And if you happened to be born with
        A different shade than mine
        You would know you were inferior
        Because I would tell you all the time

        I wish that I was shallow
        I could piss in every stream
        I could shit in every forest
        Just so you'd know where I had been
        I could leave my well known signature
        Sprawled across this earth
        And all I'd have to show for it
        Would be an ever expanding girth

        I wish that I was shallow
        I could watch the mirror every day
        And tell myself how good I was
        How I made myself that way
        And I'd never have to think about
        The broken pieces left behind
        Because it's the survival of the fittest
        That's the way of humankind.

        written in February 1998
        Copyright © 1998 by Luke Jennings, All rights reserved