False Self

Deflated —
By stripping in public
Selling what — really —
Fragments of experience —
A few assertions
Clarifications
Deliberations
Reflections
Constructed thoughts

A face, a name, borrowed titles —
what, really —
A promise:
Arrive at 9 AM
Stay until 5 PM
Five days a week
Week after week
Follow procedures
Sit, talk, write

For some money
For some wages —
But before that:
Perform a public stripping
A ritual dance
Woo, assert, convince, clarify —
So they will buy you
Buy you

They buy your precious little life
Your entire waking day:
Your attention, your focus
Your body and your mind
Your submission
Your agreement

Why — O man —
Why must you
Be so cheap
So cheap