What could you live without?
That name you’re wearing
on your person.
That place that you claim
to be from.
That face you wear
when you’re in public.
If you could
would you walk away?
Trade your fame
for an escape?
Break the deal
that you made.
Could you leave
the grand parade?
Or do you perform
at six and ten?
No way around it.
sentient, intelligent,
taken out of your element.
Confined to a tiny space,
where everybody knows you.
Could you live without
all of this?
Just doing tricks for fish.
You don’t belong here.
We both know that.
You’re trapped behind
clear, glass habitat.
Not where you came from
not what you were made for.
A victim of circumstance.
Trafficked and paid for.
Your face on a sports card,
your name on a marquee,
an audience that goes home
and regards you darkly.
Perform on demand.
Dance for the fans.
We tell them,
“Don’t feed the animals.”
“Don’t tap on the glass.”
While you’re told that
you’re famous.
You’re told that you’re rich.
You’re in in five minutes,
doing tricks for fish.
Show up,
do well,
and you’ll be fed.
Just forget about the ocean,
or the life you could have led.
We raised you in captivity,
so we can worship celebrity.
We could live without all of this.
No more tricks.
DJR – 2023
