So Smile

...in my peripheral
he's bloody edged under the bed
feeling life shifting along
in very long zigzag lines.

I see mothers taking old medicine
t-empty bottles toppled to their sides
drool pooled into neck crevices
withered down to the wrinkled  "Y"
between their breasts.

Old broads in leopard print bras
trying to look sexy

while the old men watch
leotard static on the yoga channel

alarm clocks ringing by the bedside
hit snooze and keep dreaming...

Tile floors tap out existence
of a quiet dog,
a neighbor puffs out his chest in
"I told you so's"

Life repeats itself

and people
get what they deserve,
Old debts return to haunt you.

but you realize this is probably

the happiest you've ever been

So content with our complacency

so you smile and hit recline

on the easy chair and

start waving that

Good Old American flag.

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

lots of great lines:
" leotard static on the yoga channel"
"Tile floors tap out existence
of a quiet dog," but this line is fantastic ..one has to pay attention to the "our" in it
"So content with our complacency" .. i am not in a place that would cause me contentment over others' complacency ..but i see where that can very tragically be the case ... fat cat on top of the world would love the status quo eh!?
i am retired ..middle class all the way ..so i saved a couple hundred dollars one month only to need 400 the next ;} .. but i did work hard and managed to retire in a place i dreamed of all my life .. a little cabin in the mountains .. and i am so content .. an earthquake would not knock me out of my chair ..and i do love our America ..in all its faults and failings ... so i love your poem for many reasons .. its sharp commentary on many levels says i!
E.

[Corset]

compared to many other countries and how they live i'd say yeah, even my hand to mouth existence is luxury comparatively.

[Einstein Noodle]

yes indeed

[emmajoy]

What a fantastic chain of thought... and truth. Whatever one's age, being unaware that time's ticking by, that adventures are being overlooked, seems to fade into the day-by-day. You've drawn such clear visuals, ' Old broads in leopard print bras ~ trying to look sexy ~ while the old men watch leotard static on the yoga channel.. '

A great piece of writing, dear friend!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we've got to be content when we have that chance because age is creeping up on us...and shall continue to do so----it will show physically and then gradually wear us down mentally.

j.

[Corset]

lol true dat..thank you J.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

I think most of us get so content in our lives that we forget to truly live. Another great one.

[Corset]

Thank you R&R cowboy!

[B-poet]

The vividness of your metaphors and diction is what makes this poem so special and intriguing. Perfect this style of writing for the long run because it's a worthy tool that belongs in your writing tool box. Loved how candid you appeared to be in the final four stanzas as well. Great work Corset. An outstanding piece. :)

[Corset]

Thank you B-Poet

[Great Aunt Astri]

Sometimes smiling is the only thing you can do! Apparently, if you smile, the muscles you use do actually physically make you feel better. But I don't think it is just ''good old America' I think it is pretty much worldwide! Thank you for highlighting this problem.

[Corset]

Thank you Great Aunt Astri