Fluff And Fold

Sobriety, severity, and self-respect are the foundations of all true sociality. - Thoreau

This skittish, socialized, human race.

Pressed and ironed like a pillow case.

Goodness plays fair and evil cheats.

You can make your blithe bed in Hell.

Just be sure to use cotton sheets ...

Author's Note

"Wherever a man goes, men will pursue him and paw him with their dirty institutions, and, if they can, constrain him to belong to their desperate odd-fellow society." - Thoreau

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I don't know what you symbolize with "cotton sheets" . . . but your poem kinda reminds me of how society is so hammered with judgmental edicts, it's not a place I want to spend time anymore. Maybe when I was younger, I didn't notice all the cumbersome expectations, but now I find them too bothersome & the "satisfaction" of socialization is not worth the bother. One time I read a romantic poem here that mentioned the thread-count of sheets . . . like this makes a bit of difference when two people are deep in the throes . . . at least you only recommend cotton, but not thread-count (I don't know what I'm saying so don't try to understand!) All in all, your poem just dredges up my jadedness (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

thanks. you're on target. the pressures of society weigh us down to the point where we don't know who we are anymore, oftentimes without even realizing what has happened to us. we get pushed into that which we do not desire. conformity can rob us of our identity. the sheets are just an analogy to make ourselves as comfortable as possible when we're forced somewhere we do not wish to be ... :)

[barleygirl]

Great explanation of the sheets!

[Derekv]

Excellent piece, Pete. There is a very tragic element to socialization - it tends to stamp out any differences, all of the things that make us unique. Keep up the great work!

-Derekv

[Pete]

thanks brother. be strong and keep the faith ... :)