Small Town, U.S.A.

by Ashley Gwen Patrick

Waitress of one thousand tables,
Cop, Barber,
Janitor with the mop,
Stupid, Ignorant, Idiotic,
City of Lameness:
I was told you are dull and I believe them for I’ve seen children play with beads in a sac.
And I was told you are dumb and I say: I know, I’ve seen six year high school students.
And I was told you are cruel and I know this is true, I’ve seen you laugh at the outcasts.
After hearing this I turn to those who say this,
“I agree,” is my reply.
Take me to another city not so dull, dumb and cruel and I will go.
Another city to be called home, a soft city set vividly against brutal cities.
Hellville, as cowardly as a lion, eyes closed, oblivious to others but yourself, you are:
Scared,
Weak,
Breaking,
Harsh,
Stupid, Ignorant, Idiotic.
Hidden by the night, wet with tears, the outcasts cry,
Under the burden of loneliness the outcasts sob, unlike the lion,
Tears not seen or heard by the ignorant ones who never felt such pain,
Hellville laughing at their weak heart and faint pulse,
Laughing!
Hellville proud to be stupid, ignorant, idiotic, proud to be:
City of Lameness.
The outcasts will soar to be proud in other cities.