Birthday Song

So you spent your morning in eager ignorance
And in childish glee, running from shadows-
the white apes who surround you,
who you become.

Then resentfully, you conform to non-conformity
maybe dye your hair some rebellious color--
Like everyone else--
And sought some self-destructive salve,
A balm for wounded aspirations.

You go to school, go to Europe,
Get a degree, get married,
live in a house with 3 bedrooms,
2 1/2 baths, 2 1/2 kids
a dog and a divorce.
Choking on hypocrisy.

I will sing my songs in silence
And the world will pass me by
And I will age and die.