Shades of Meaning

Buford Youthward
stockcap@hotmail.com

Imagine a world where words have gone haywire. Where democracy and liberation are thrown around and coded like snake oil. Politicians and broadcasters bent on picking pockets and twisting spin into neat, saccharine soaked agendas can't get past their sunglasses to see the sun.

Human life is less important than these taxing concepts, just as armor is less important than gasoline in wartime ghetto lands. I take exception to their exceptions and I'm mighty pissed off at their exemptions. I can't defer my sweat for the truth is in the heat of the sun and I'm not that privileged to lie about in the shadows behind megaphones and oak desks.

My sunglasses are much richer than the designer shades some chumps sport. With my shades I'm able to drop science and pick up humanity. I see our supermen wearing their sins like a cape across their shoulders. I'm compelled to call them out on their thrones.

But I come to the bylines with the brain that I have not the brain that I wish I had. I have certificates that state my courage and a clean bill of health for my heart. Still cowardly lions, scatterbrained scarecrows and tin men run the show.

The majestic and the magician play the same illusions. As comedy and tragedy amuse and confuse, we're whipped up in the spirit, caught between the zeitgeist and the zeal. Stand down, stand forth and figure out your proper motivation. Don't get trapped into admitting your flow lost its go a long time ago.

Sabotage for the sake of sabotaging is trademarked lunacy tempting the forsaken, the bedeviled and guardian demons alike. Keep your copyrights in a tight tank at room temperature. Measure the room, post perimeters then leave the door unlocked.

Imagine a world where words have gone haywire. Where graffiti and liberation are thrown around and coded like cotton candy. Where salesmen and musicians are bent about getting their pockets picked and can't get past their sunglasses to see the sun. I try not to imagine that world and find the best bet is on leaving your imagination to yourself.

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