Somebody opened a door
that could never be shut
and when the line was crossed
we simply held our gut
and choked down the circumstances

nobody suggested change
nobody suggested a difference
while women and children
were stirred and mixed
until nothing was left
all innocence
lost
and the only people who spoke a word
vanished
in a pool of blood and regret

pancakes cooked in every kitchen
every single morning

fires were extinguished
without panic or warning

not a shout or a shiver
when force-fed our liver
not a flutter or shake
as we choked down our steak
but it was fake
fake fake
all fake
when will we wake
from this slumber and sleep
midlife trauma
poisoned and meek?
ready drama?
ready fashion week?

not too long
the fight comes
when we burn the fields
and cut the tongues
off the corporations

not too long
the comeback comes
when we all take foot
and throw up our noses
throw out the hoses
and let the fire burn the kitchen