The Greeting Card Thing Is Rigged

Buddy had a birthday.

But you’d never know it

Cause it happened every damn day.

Seldom was there fanfare

No candles nor cake.

There weren’t any gifts

No friendships to fake.

No silly hats or toot horns.

No gift wrap destroyed.

No toasting tomorrow

No back slaps from boys.

Just knowing we’re pawns

Of calendars and watches

Of voting and freedom

No living with Gotchas.

Surrounded by all of this rigging.