America Abroad

today I am in Asia
today I met a fat man from Australia
a nice bloke as they say
speaks of life and wonder
tells me how America is down and out
the carnival-the parade with candy and trumpets
with fireworks on the 4th of July
the doorbell always answered by a butler
with a full platter of a dream
the American dream

in awe of beauty
in awe of green-the deep green of the almighty dollar
in awe of trust-of hard work
of meaning
a life served garnished with edible gold

flags raised and lowered
and raised yet again
sustaining the winds of destruction
the agony of defeat

today that dream has ended
that perception has passed
today a fat man told me
“perception is reality”
today I can not argue with a fat man

waves in Asia and Australia crash into the beach sand
a world away morals and pride and character
crash into oblivion

Glimpse

I am the historian of my mind
Deep and dull
With bloodshot eyes
Skeletons buried
Smiling inside my soul