Unscathed Tongues (poem)
How do the lies not cut their lips?
How can they not choke on this cruel confidence trick?
How is it they don’t burn their vocal cords?
How is it they’re not suffocating on all that hidden scorn?
That this rank hypocrisy doesn’t make them stutter
is stunning, and that they can keep their faces straight when they dare to utter
their token appreciation for those sustaining the country.
Nothing more than an act of necessity,
now that it’s clear to all these people’s presence is important and needed.
They say the lesson they shouldn’t have had to learn has been heeded.
I feel nauseous, my self, when, with sickly faux sincerity, they thank the key workers.
Only to then insult them as low skilled and pull up the drawbridge;
Making unwelcome, well, everyone but high earners.
How do they not gag on the contradiction?
How can they have pass through their mouths such acidic fiction?
Do I have an answer for these questions?
Honestly, no, other than to say that obviously it’s because they don’t have empathy and they know a critical mass of the public are groomed enough that they can get away with it.