A Traveler’s Guide To Suburbia

Originally posted on 2/17/2011.

At night, one can drive
for hours, listening
to televisions
as they mask the weeping.

Here, the people abide by
one strict rule of conduct: 
“Do what you like, 
but do not show your work.”

The only media 
allowed for art
are C4 and artificial sweeteners;
the fabric of life is therefore
primarily explosions 
and cloying aftertaste.

Now and then a child grows up
and breaks free.

Most of them 
come back eventually.  
The ones who do not
remain a mystery 
to the inhabitants,

even if they become famous.