Myths and Monsters

I don't ask anyone for much
no more than I'm willing to give myself
I learned to temper my expectations a long time ago
the consequence of constant disappointment
disillusioned down to the deepest depths of my soul
after all I’ve been told that has proven untrue 
people pretending to think and feel differently than they do
their mask melting away to reveal their real visage
brandishing blades they thrust into my back 
gutted as by a Samurai committing Seppuku
run through by swords of insincerity
my screams rendered silent
I bear the blame and shame they refuse to claim 
upon my own broad shoulders
my snaky spine bowing under the weight like Quasimodo
A simple salutation would be a start to heal my harrowed heart 
some sort of abstract acknowledgement 
assurance that I’m more than a collection of cells
consuming resources with no productive purpose
that my words aren’t wasted on this apathetic world
where it seems everyone strives only to feed their own ego
How can one catch another’s attention 
without coming across as crazy?
I’ve never seen the inside of a prison or a psychiatric facility 
aside from a couple that had been converted into museums 
A weary woman embarking on an expedition
searching for any shred of evidence of the elusive "nice guy'
unpretentious people who aren’t afraid to prove they care 
others attest are out there, not merely mythical creatures 
but then some say the same about Bigfoot
Maybe the existence of an eight foot ape is more believable
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

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