You are born,
We accept you
Be grateful-
You owe us.
Do not kick
Or cry
Or scream
Do not sit around
and daydream.
Go to school- yes!
You must go
To learn the rules
Which we follow
You may frown now
But soon will see
That all we teach
Is what you'll be
Stand up straight!
Act your age!
Don't answer back!
Is this the thanks we get?
Here, take this;
It will help you sleep
One in the morning
And one at night
A good long sleep
For the rest of your life.
Isn't that better?
Now, stand up straight-
Good boy.
Go brush your teeth-
There you go.
Now stand in line
And wait your turn
For your number to be called.
While you wait-
Take this job
Buy this house
Fill it with stuff
For your future spouse.
Feels good right?
But you want more.
We can provide
If you stay at shore.
Have a promotion-
You've earned it!
Perhaps a trip to the beach?
You can have it all
If you do as we teach.
You're one of the good ones,
That much we can tell
There's not a thing we could show you
That we couldn't sell.
Now stand up straight-
And take this gun
We got the fuckers on the run.
Do not think their hands are clean
When you see them kick
And cry
And scream
You may frown now
But soon will see
That all we teach
Is what you'll be.
YOU ARE READING
The Good Boy
PoetryA trilogy of poems about a boy who learns- and unlearns- the apathy handed down by his parents and society.
