He gave me that look the smile askew
The face of knowing what life meant for sure
Dark eyes warm pools full of everything and nothing
As I misread their intentions
For the fun I saw it was laughter
For caring read any emotion but that
You were capable only of doing what was expected
Of giving out details many untrue
Just for cheap laughs and a drink
To join the crowd by proxy
Alienated unless you were the entertainment
It took a long while to see how desperate you were
You craved attention never given
Unless you gave the crowd of howling apes
Your soul on a platter bowing low
Begging their laughter and admission for moments
The door always ready to slam shut
Always the jester with an “anything m’lud”
Laughing at others knowing you’re next
Just for a while the insecurity fades
As the donkeys bray loudly
Each more afraid than the last
That next laughter he’ll be under the spotlight squirming
While they have you little jester
They don’t turn on themselves like the animals they are
One day a pack member will see through the haze
Of fun and frivolous friends
He’s the one with sense who has heart
I hope you were one who did the same
For your own sake
Far away from their sideline it’s simple to see
Step back and then run
For your sanity before you become them
Ailsa
©AilsaCawleyPoetry2016
ailsacawley 