politics

you fall asleep
in the middle of dinner.
someone is talking
politics. you are out
for a few minutes,
face down in your
plate. there are mashed
potatoes in your eyes.
gravy and steak sauce
on your cheeks.
no one seems to notice.
someone says something
about the economy,
and another about
immigration, the woman
to your right says
she needs to go to
the bathroom and wants
you to move. she points
at the food on your face
and hands you a napkin.
the man at the end of
the table says that he has
enough dried goods,
fresh water
and ammo to last him
at least a year if things
go wrong in the next
election. someone asks
you a question about
where you stand on the
issues of the day, and they
all stop talking and turn
to look at you, but you
don't hear the question,
you are busy trying to get
a snow pea out of your nose.