censorship island

i know a little place

where all of you can go

it never really rains there &

it never ever snows,

if it’s windy, if it’s humid,

it’s never really long &

the birds that chirp up in the trees

all tweet your favorite songs---

the others who live there with you

they always smile your way

they never sneer or bicker

only small talk & fluff to say

there’s nothing that would harm you

there’s no opinions to worry about &

everyone who lives there

knows how to shut their mouth---

no contrary ideas or beliefs are thought

there’s no real thoughts at all &

when someone is uncertain,

they just curl up in a ball---

in the fetal position they stay

quieter than a patch of deserted land &

when the tide finally rolls in,

it covers them over with sand---

so no one ever speaks their mind &

no one’s ever offending,

for the occupants of censorship island

have perfected the art of

pretending.