Society

My mantras mix bloodily
with raw emotions furled inside
the desire to be more rightous.
to forgive. to turn the other cheek.
slurs of incomprehensible words
to tame the rage of all mankind
which lies ragged, staved
nailed to crosses of ethics, religion,
morality. society does not smile
kindly on those who refuse to bite
their tongue. or those who take arms
against the slings of arrows of outrageous
misfortune. So I smile. we all smile.
waltz carefully past qualms. punctuate
our 'yes sirs' and 'yes ma'ams'
shake hands. return home carefully
turning the lock. to laugh. to scream.
to pray. maniacally. anything to salve
the real feelings that I, that no one
dare express aloud.

© Caroline Alicia Harris

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