*****

Recorded Reading (2:13): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/djgwjy0usjssovvx2o2p4/Real.mp3?rlkey=fbusknu37d5lcd0vhw71vfz8h&dl=0

*****

Written as food for thought for a very young lady of the poet’s past close acquaintance.

*****

Real

You realize of course
That when you tell a lie to me
Or sidle past me hoping
I some misdemeanor didn’t see
You as absolutely are
Objectifying me
As any man uninterested
In your individuality

Projecting thus upon me
A spectrum narrowed to
Unattractive authority
You relegate unto
A cardboard cutout in the sitcoms
And the movies that you view
Good for but a backdrop
The heroine’s adventures to

Not someone feels, as you would,
Like some sad buffoon
When they figure out they were
Just dancing to your tune
Continuing approval is
Just something you assume
Will be there waiting soon as you
Walk back into your room,

Whether or not the interim
Some falseness did reveal ~
It wasn’t, after all, my “wisdom”
Or my “beauty” did appeal
As you described it when you needed
Credibility to steal
Giving not a thought to how it
Later made me feel

So now you never answer texts
Or emails either, for you might
Have actually to live up
To words you wrote but for delight
Of someone destined victim be
To your next hand of sleight —
Well, this grandmother cares enough
To point out to you wrong from right

Even if you victimized
By me now choose to feel
Right to the point where you always
Manage swift away to steal —
That course of action, actually,
Holds for me much good appeal:
Come check back in if ever you
Can handle something real.

*****

Until removal of the stalker/targeter/vandal/arsonist following her allows her to approach any landlord ~ even for a private parking space ~ and to begin once again to create professional connections and to rebuild her life, this poet presently lives homeless and at a fraction of her nation’s poverty level ~ still working to contribute to her society, however, seven days a week.

Arts patrons may visit http://www.UgiftABLE.com , using code #72D-31S. It does take several days for the poet to be notified of your patronage.

Thank you for supporting quality in the fine arts.