Cerebral

I wonder how quickly my cat will learn 
to equate scratching the table with 
my getting off the couch to swat in her direction 
and if she will start to think 
"hey, since she's up, maybe she'll feed me." 
I wonder how much muscle mass 
I will lose in three days 
of sitting on this couch and if 
the brain cells strengthened by 
constantly thinking about you will compensate. 
I wonder if the people who write the 
witty dialogue for television are actually 
funny in real life or if it's just a job to them. 
I wonder if the ancient philosophers 
actually thought the questions they were posing 
were important or if they were just trying to 
seem smart around the other philosophers, and 
I wonder what would have happened if 
one of them said "you know, let's just cut the crap." 

I wonder what it feels like to know something 
with no hesitations or second thoughts.  I wonder 
who on my street right now is fighting, who 
is making love, who is playing with a child, 
who is wishing they never had a child, who 
regrets their marriage, who is praying 
for love to find them, who is laughing on the outside 
but slowly dying on the inside within 
their picture-perfect quasi-life of conformity and 
expectation and impossible standards. Maybe just me.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2008

Poem

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Golden Avatar
January 29, 2009 at 11:35 PM
Wow, I love this, Tracy! I'm always amazed when I read this sort of piece...one that seems so full of life, realism, depth, and truth. Many kudos to you. Blessings, Donna G.
Huscroft Avatar
October 18, 2008 at 6:40 AM
wonderful! this poem surprised me with its serious ending which is all the more powerful, coming as it does, after 20 or so very witty and funny lines. A wondrful combination of funny and sad and true lines.
Anos Avatar
October 13, 2008 at 7:34 AM
It is honest and truly cerebral in its theme of simple but relevant wonderment! It is like asking Fate questions of what happened! The element of humor wrapped it real good! :o) A very very good write here Tracy! I'll be watching for more... Brgds. George
Winter Avatar
October 13, 2008 at 6:19 AM
Yes, a bit of laughter within this write, but the last verse, you seem so hard on yourself. Why is it I can relate, I am not so sure, nor do I want to go there. Always so much depth to your poetry. Love, Shar
Reynolds Avatar
October 13, 2008 at 3:56 AM
Wow, Tracey, this is really different for you - I loved it. I got a good laugh out of picturing the philosopher's saying 'let's cut the crap' lol Awesome awesome awesome, very true, real, and yes, we all wonder and feel these things...it's crazy how life can only truly be seen behind closed doors. This is why most poeple seem so fake to me IRL, and why I love poetry, as it is more real than 99% of what is shown. Love K
Richards Avatar
October 12, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Oh no..It's not just you!! I loved this ...it is so real, and we all have those thoughts from time to time!! But you were right on target!! This poem expresses the quirky reality of behaviour...hilarious, yet so real!! Great job, Tracy! A fun read! :) Carrie
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