garage sale

the big picture 

is that we're temporarily alive, 

temporarily loved

is that food quickly spoils

& enthusiasm wanes,

turns into frustration 

& compromises perseverance,

our ability to over or under achieve, 

to over or under compensate

is that we're some sort 

of a poster child (smile, please)

while not necessarily

being on the honor system,

not necessarily being predisposed 

to rat on the truth, 

on its infiltration

the big picture 

is that we're temporarily up for sale, 

temporarily overvalued  

in someone's eyes & ears,

the black market or flea market

is that avocado quickly rots

& we have to give most of it away

or flush it down the toilet

as we throw up 

because of hope,

the black & white sense of propriety

is that discovery or recovery  

lead to newer aches & pains,

to further proof of why we're unable 

to feel good about us

is that we're temporarily on our feet, 

not on the streets,

temporarily 

someone not with a restraining order,

someone not to run away from

the big picture

is that others have the right of way

& we have to wait in order not to make it 

& be or become ourselves, 

what we doubt & faithfully prescribe 

or subscribe to 

on a day-to-day basis

is that we find ourselves 

temporarily in love, 

temporarily ignoring its shelf life,

& treading on in the rain,

in the piss from above

without an umbrella 

is that we're under contract,

under obligation

c. a. campos, 2010