you’re not the only one

you think you’re the only one who’s pretty

the only one suffering

the only one risking death

the only one bolting from an epiphany

challenging your redundant ghosts?

you’re not the only one who’s soft

the only shallow one

the only one who's blessed 

rounding up a few nickels to toss at the poor

hoping to sucker your infuriating vamps?

you’re not the only one who’s lazy,

not the only one intent on

residing in a rambling non-committed apathetic lifestyle,

not the only shipwrecked member of your cyber-mad-generation

exchanging digital favors for some real-time freeway hustle

trading away your smuggled plastic flowers at Sunday cemeteries?

yup, you’re not the only one pretending to thrive

not the only one resisting persistence and patience

the only one too stubborn or stupid to switch gears

too arrogant to surrender

and let go of another imaginary

tangled up

image of yourself

Spring, 2015

Lake Worth, FL