Everyone has a story
That old saw is a favorite mutter –
a tried and truism

But we do have our own stories
of failure
of success
of getting by – by getting along

Of making choices that led us astray
and decisions that led to wonder
and I can’t fucking believe this…

But we keep the story to ourselves
because no one asks
Because there is only time to tell
our own stories
our own regrets and mistakes
missteps and meanderings

Only time to tweet and post to the wall
favorite and stumble
the many details that must be
disseminated
in hopes of the hotly contested
15 minutes

And if we wonder, we do it in passing
Filling in the blanks with our own experiences –
rejecting the reality with our
own lack of resume

Am I my brothers keeper?
Cain didn’t think so and neither do most of us
And when we do, the ACLU
ensures we pay the price for our curiosity
and invasions of helping hands

If Oprah or CNN doesn’t care
if it’s not on The View or the Daily Show
if it doesn’t expose colossal frailties and weaknesses
it’s none of our business
We don’t need to know
And it’s time to move on to
the reality show of choice
Reality that is scripted and real only
to those vying for the prize

But everyone has a story and
if you ask and you really want to know
people will tell you

copyright 2010