Is the World a Freak Show?

Is the world a freak show
Spiraling out of control
Proliferating crudity
Aggrandizing insanity
Mocking Idiosyncrasies
Abusing the real cry
Of the one that needs it most?

The more outlandish we are
The more accolades we get
For pretending
And doing a fine job at it
While the truth is
Not one of us
Are being fully open

Creating Smoke
Breaking Mirrors
Unceremoniously acting out
The reality
The depravity
The debased
The docudrama
The comedy
And grandiose
Imagination
Of someone else’s mind
While they play the role
Of Miss Congeniality
When the shades are off

How far can you go?
How jarring can you be?
Before they start
Cheering you on
Mocking you
Ripping you apart?

You never know
The response you will get
Until you put yourself out there
Yet you Risk everything
While wearing that Mask
For a few cheap laughs
A deafening silence
A scare or two
A resounding nod
Into the spotlight
Of infamy
Or nothingness

What has become of you?
What will become of us?
Are you taking the place
Of the illustrated enthusiasts
Or the real anomalies?
The prima donna in you
Will not let alone
The true and beautiful aberration
that you brand as the so-called freak

That is crying out for help
Or want to live just the way they are
That despises the “f” name
While you love it
Just the same.
That should be the ones
Being esteemed
Revered
For being themselves
But everyone has a hard time
Recognizing them now.

Because all creepiness
And eccentricities
Are on display
The more false
The better
All up for grabs

No one takes pride
In their own reflection anymore
Instead we parade as decoys
So the one worthy
Or in need
Of attention
Goes unheeded
Without claim
Because the world has become a freak show
Or maybe it’s just you?

“Resist being a puppet to other people’s existence and start living for yourself.” — Kaylaa T. Blackwell

Credits: Creative Commons images courtesy of Patricie (1st image) and Sarah Messina and Deerily (2nd image combined).