falling down

the evidence, hard, all around the last person on the longest line,

sticking out like grammatical blunders,

like nail discoloration, yellowing teeth, or balding spots,

in full view & open to the public seven days twenty four hours

like pictures in an exhibition,

like the scene of another petty crime not worth the time

of the local newspaper

an old shoe here, refuge left & right, condoms, candy-wrappers

over there,

& everywhere the sun becoming more aloof, the rain a nuisance

like the reality of today, of the new taxes

people counting their coins, making other lines to pay

for the air they breathe in & out, to pay for their thoughts,

for their dreams at night not paying attention to the fine print:

extra is charged by the government when the dreams don’t come true,

when the thoughts don’t lead to some material purpose (ouch!)

(speech is next on the IRS agenda, the details

are still being worked out)

folks of all ages everywhere not knowing what next to mortgage,

what next to give up on,

all around the last person on the longest line,

who could be you or someone else but it’s me:

there to pay an additional fine

apparently is a no-no to walk instead of paying the train or bus fare

or the tolls & gas if you drive,

apparently 33% of what i make  isn’t enough of a contribution

activities of any kind require an additional activation feed

c. a. campos, 2011