What Dan Was

The roof laughed as I longed to be alone,
to go out to nature and cut her down,
to work to ignore the feelings I have,
to dismiss all those who sing hero’s praise,
those ignorant bastards

who claim it’s tragedy,
who never watch
unless a man has died,
and we can all go oooh,
and the TV men so sensitive, telling me
I don’t need to watch, but they will show it
nine more times, allowing
every human excuse:
It’s not his fault! (No Shit.)

All of these hushed men
who feel they know dramatic,
know human better than you and I.
I know human and dramatic,
‘tis why I love the sport, but others
only come here when there’s death.

I like the anger, the tension, the fight.
I fear the death (or do I really)
and I am running away.
I fear the emotion
and hide.

Despicable that a sport deserving attention
only sacks it when there is “tragedy.”
but these guys, their only fear is
“NOT HAVING A RIDE,” and I imagine
myself, having a fear of not having a desk.

These guys do what they do for pure fun
and addicting fun that cannot be dropped.
We can hold our mouths open at all
developments, all designs to keep drivers
safe, but at the wall, the drivers
are good with death,
so why do we claim tragedy?

Why do we mourn them more than our own
family, our own loved ones? Why do we act
as if tragedy has befallen
our own lives,
and why do we repair
all reputations?

For I remember
how dastardly he was
to his crew
on the radio,
and remember feeling
he was bad, inhuman,
he was an ass,
but now I refuse to feel that,
and I remember the charm
he had for Americans
while he drank their milk.

I have respect,
and if it would have been
Tony, oh my goodness,
my hypocrisy!

Dan was a race car driver.

 

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Reactions from those who know

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  1. #1 by Hudson Howl on October 16, 2011 - 10:54 pm

    Thought provoking and well conceived.

    A Gladiator dies. Another will race to carry his shield and weapon. People race to get to no where fast. At least ferric race warriors have a finish line in their sights. Without a finish line, they’re would be no formidable adversary and spectators would go home as they came.

    • #2 by Carl on October 17, 2011 - 11:24 pm

      Thank you for your comment. I appreciate it.

  2. #3 by scribbla on October 17, 2011 - 1:08 am

    As Hudson said – well conceived and great questions througout.
    I’d be happy to die doing what I’m passionate about. Let others name it what they will.
    What a strange society we live in. Thank you for pointing that out yet again.

    • #4 by Carl on October 17, 2011 - 11:26 pm

      Thank you for your kind comment. I appreciate it.

  3. #5 by Evelyn on October 17, 2011 - 12:18 pm

    Jesus, you are a fucking genius. This is brilliant.

    • #6 by Carl on October 17, 2011 - 11:28 pm

      Oh, my, I wish I knew how I could live up to that. I wish I understood.

      • #7 by Evelyn on October 20, 2011 - 9:42 pm

        Did you submit to Tuck for November? Dont make me kick your ass.

  4. #8 by silkeberens on October 27, 2011 - 2:00 am

    Love this piece. Your writing always hits the solar plexus!

    • #9 by Carl on October 27, 2011 - 11:03 pm

      Thank you for reading and thank you for your comment. I appreciate it.

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