Existence=zero

I exist
in a time of political change.
In a time when the presidential hopefuls
broadcast between the
sports and school shootings.
When the winner is announced,
we will know who shot
the winning free throw,
and who will now
rule the country.

I exist
in a time when what we wear,
dictates where we stand.
How high your heels,
how low the rise of your jeans,
that’s where you rank
in the hierarchy of
cloth-headed ignorance,
and fashion week mania.

I exist
in a time where everything is
low carb
low fat
low sodium
low flavor.
In a time when I constantly day dream
of selling my kidneys
for a doughnut.

I exist
in a time when women work out,
starving
striving
for that perfect body,
emaciated,
like the stars on the silver screen.
Size double zero is fat these days,
and fat equals exile.

I exist
in a time of superficiality.
People only see what’s on the outside,
outer beauty means more
than the inner workings
of a human mind.
We’ve become desensitized
to violence,
to politics,
and to the very thought
of being kind
to those who are unkind.
If only we could accomplish more
than mere existence.
We could change
the world.