the new tan

it's hard to be
a rebel
these days.
what can you wear
anymore
that stands out,
half the world
dresses like
circus clowns.
lime green used
to be an outrageous
color, the daring
bold statement
of creativity,
now it's the new
tan. there are no
mothers who say
to their children
are you going
to wear that out
of the house today.
they can't say
it because they
have sewing needles
protruding from
their own lips
and noses and their
hair is painted
with blue
stripes, like
groupers in
the ocean.