Mound

I live in a small town
as far as towns go

nothing happens there
as far as the people know

the story of my life
is all patchwork and stitching

the fact that I'm a happy girl
is like a mosquito bite not worth itching

I've always tried to be different
whatever that means

I realize I'm not different
just not hemmed up at the seems

I want so bad to be sewn up
someone to actually care

too bad it's taken me so long
to realize no one's there

everyone paints a facade
of makeup on their soul

they all pretend to work for
the ultimate human goal

this is such a small town
everybody knows everyone

but what we don't know is
under every pillow there's a gun

some people's guns are their phrases
other guns are the sneers

but the biggest gun of all
is one that no one hears

we're all in little safe bubbles
like goldfish in a bowl

the only oxygen giving us life
is the harsh reality of the human soul

9.1.98