Acts 5

There is something wrong
when something personal
becomes a personal parade
using a stage
using emotion
to vindicate ourselves

I never seek vindication
nor have i ever thought
it was necessary
to feel the therapy of
written word

Just being honest
is worth it

Honesty that night
was a joke
sure
there were truthful things
spoken
written
whatever
but the motives were less than pure

Beware the ones who claim to be artists
beware the ones who smile when they read
beware the ones who fall in love with themeselves

Avoid them
to keep yourself pure
They risk nothing
pretending to risk everything
like the Biblical
Ananias and Sapphira
if they sought to gain anything more
substantial than
status
they would be struck dead
where they stood

I saw a group of college students
trying to have a good time
but they just looked like
nervous
actors
Dancing and smiling
using
and ultimately
losing themselves
in the pursuit of self

I allowed myself a bitter moment
these people would not have given me
a second thought
when I was their age
I know it

The popular kids don't play sports
or cheerlead anymore
they wear tights
they wear plastic glasses
they smoke

But I say look closer
because their teeth are too white