Monkey Toy Man

Put that
existential moan
on lockdown

and admit that your well-being
is a salesman
clapping and hooting

for attention. Monkey
toy causing a ruckus
and not even a real ape —

automaton, cheap
screwed together
simulacrum and 

a bad one at that.
You reached an accord long ago
with it. Let it

holler your praises
and you’d agree
to stay alive for it

because you don’t do it
for yourself. Instead
you made up the clanging beast

who percussively masks
the real you and damned
if it hasn’t worked and now

any time you feel
the need for quiet
you have to contend

with everyone who thinks
you are lying. Big noise
huckster. Are you in there

still? Stifle that real answer.
We know what we want to hear
and you better give it up.