The Human Condition

by Peter Kidd

odd how the lower ego
can’t function
with even an average ant’s share
of suffering

and yet those born
feeling everyone’s feelings
seem to have an unending threshold
forever

on potential
imagine if Microsoft
let an actual writer
be on the design board
of its next version of Word

the soul is that magical invisible organ
that gives us individuality
even in states of Oneness

the Waltz of becoming the Father

with so many baby souls being born
all around us
crackling with cosmos

as a reward
we freeze “our generation”
as reality

shall I bring in Shakespeare’s clowns

I love Kim Kardashian
for sharing with me
her image
the brand I can do without
have I spoken to you
about the glorious songs
of the Winter birds
while sitting on the porch
or, how the neighborhood dogs
add the baseline
when they are quiet

a long time ago
I gave up silence
the closest I could get
was a faint ringing
in my ears
yes dead science
even has a name for that

though once
I heard
Joshua blow his horn

behind door one
is 7 years in the desert

behind door two
a thorn in your side

behind door three
an allergy to olives

why does my heresey
tickle me
so damn much

that
and the fact that
“I am your Huckleberry”

On will:
when used to help is okay
when used to manipulate will bring
grave consequences
so think first
in an indelible fashion

there can be only so many bulls
in the arena
so, of course nut cutting makes sense

I came to dance
but
no one showed
could it have been the wrong night
but it felt so succinct

I found a tidbit of peace
once I got it
we are all uniquely wired

making even the simplest of truth
like love
extremely difficult to navigate

was there ever
an historical time
when neurosis
and arrogance
didn’t run the show

and of course good art
breaks the mold
of everyday life
if only by capturing it
with a keener eye

not to mention
the power of imagination
as gateway to children.

1/8/14, Canyon, TX
From upcoming The Human Condition (Spuyten Duyvil Publishing)