get in line

I think about
getting into the victim
line for a little
tea and sympathy,
but change my mind.
it's so long,
so deep
along the red bricked building.
I see them.
the weary,
the misunderstood,
the poor, the rich,
the faithful
and unfaithful.
stamp my forehead
with a big V.
woe is me.
my parents didn't hug
me enough.
i'm too white, too black,
i'm catholic,
i'm jewish.
i'm too short or too
tall.
i'm a victim of circumstances.
it's the economy,
the environment.
it's too late in the day,
too early
in the morning.
i'm married,
i'm divorced.
i'm lonely and forgotten.
I never get a break.
my life has been too hard,
too easy.
slowly I back away,
get into my car and hit
the gas.