Written by: Hektor Munoz

We are so good at fitting in
saying the right thing
nodding at the correct moment/smiling/egging on
Trained well as to be accepted, to belong and to be left alone
Fitting in/by all appearances a cookie cutter version of our peers/friends/community/ourselves
Being normal/we excel/overachieve

We are so good/affable
We learn at an early age which way our toast is buttered/we know what fork to use at dinner/how to dress for cocktails/talking about them
We learn that to be different is a big NO NO/going against the grain will leave you friendless
we know what happens to ‘those people”
Some of us know what to do about this naturally
The rest of us pick it up eventually

Once informed the party begins
some of us learn to ‘pass’
gliding in and out of a conservative world where we are not welcome, not included,
not wanted/quietly smiling as to not be noticed
the rest of us embrace our pain believing that eventually everyone will see the light/saving the children that already passed away/the many ignored/
negated/judged/hungry children
victims of endless lies/children growing up to be us/poor
proletariat parasites of ignorance refusing to fight

…and the world goes on ignoring those unfortunate disposable people
feeding us turkey legs and expired food
day old bread with plain coffee
no napkins/no forks/no bus tokens

a photo op for liberals?
material for the blog?
do we need a martyr?
where is God?

In the meantime,
I must survive…but I do not fit in, I know not what to say, when to nod, or egg on, I don’t know my place, and though I excel/overachieve, I do not belong in the cookie cutter…and that only brings “TROUBLE”…

Hektor is a Mexican poet, writer and performance artist. He currently resides in Denver, CO and is an active performer, event coordinator and curator in Denver’s bustling independent art community.