Meathead Monologue

the arts

the two of us
are alike in many ways.
we are used to that kind of thing;
our attention grabbing hobbies
and our talents catch people's eyes.
they cannot look away.
but there is one difference-
you are an arrogant man,
and i despise you for that.
you don't use your beautiful talent
to create genuine and thought provoking things.
you use it to get people to talk to you.
it's your only conversation.
but when you talk
you always seem to make it about yourself.
there is no blood on your veins;
there is no kindness in your heart.
god, you even wonder out loud why you can't keep a single lover.
the answer is right in front of you,
on that desk where you lay out all your troubles for everyone else to assess,
where you display your trophies so we can congratulate you on a job well done.
stop showing off, and i'll stop showing up.
you will see no more of me.
isn't that what you want?
i won't hate you.
i won't criticize you.
i won't show up to see your beautiful talent.
so stop showing off.
why don't you use your talent to show me how you really feel?
to show the world how your mind spins and spins?
show me what it's like in there;
show me what it is that drives people away,
what it is that makes you yearn for attention,
and what it is that makes me hate you.
show me through our shared talent
that you are even the slightest bit worthy
of my respect as an artist.

r.k.