Earth to Liz Claiborne

Heaven help her, she looks upset
a crowd draws near, as she screams
what have you done with it?
the onlookers stare, curious, but not concerned
my train is gone, I’ve missed my chance

**static sounds from above**

Earth to Liz Claiborne, you never had one

If she could, just, spank my monkey,

a man from the crowd cries out,
then we could pretend to be whole again

silence pounds on everyone as the girl drops dead

the man tries to breathe life into those full, fish lips
you would have been great, dancing on my glory,
he says, as he stops attempting life support,
the train missed you doll you didn’t miss a thing

disinterested now, the gathering of cretins

dissembles and moves on, going about their business
after gathering around, watching the authorities
and the ambulance arrive to take her away
the only one left, who showed any concern

the man who, apparently, owned a “monkey”
was he trying to trade up?
no one cared to ask him or help her
it’s just another day in “civilized society”

 

©2004 – Tamara Imes