the funeral buffet

someone once said

to me at a funeral, well. it is what it is.

i looked at him

and said, what?

what does that mean?

and he says, you know,

it is.

what it is.

no, i said, i don't get it.

what is,

what is what it is.

that's the stupidest phrase

i've ever heard in my life.

this person just died.

people are grieving, crying,

beside themselves

and that's the best you can do

is say that inane

nonsense.

you don't have the intelligence,

the articulation

to express some sort

of sadness, or sorrow

for a human life leaving

this planet forever?

nope.

that's all i got, he said.

you know? it just is what it is.

come on.

everyone says it. hey,

are you going to the buffet

dinner after the service?

i heard they have lobster

and water chestnuts wrapped

in maple bacon.