Common Courtesy

3 p.m. tomorrow
As the plane touches the runway
I will have braced myself
Welcome back
Face the nosy people
Their intrigued smiles
And superficial concerns
How do you do?
How is so and so?
Ooh.. how does she do?
Smile, nod,
Answer politely,
Very well, thank you.
How do you do?

Spinoza

By Rivkah Moses

Spinoza's donkey-
So perversely rational
As to be stupid.

What beast in its right mind
Wouldn't turn
To the right
Or left
To eat its fill?

I laugh,
Yet am guilty of the same.

While waiting for the
Perfect, rational proof
That I'm worthy of love,
I stand, stiffly,
And starve.

(Click on picture to enlarge)