TEA TIME in L.A.

(*CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR)


VISIBLE CRUELTY 
                              (8-sonnet sequence)


THE QUALITY OF 
                              BEAUTY is much strained

when artists 
                              stretch beyond their competence

to capture 
                              the complexity contained

in social 
                              interaction's violence.


In 
                              prehistoric days, the shunned would 
                              die.

Except for Ayla,* who could stand 
                              alone 

without the tribe? No need to 
                              crucify.

There was no pizza shop the cursed 
                              could call.


If excommunicated, 
                              you would starve.

If no one 
                              LISTENED to your pleading 
                              voice.

When tribal eyes refused to 
                              LOOK, they carve

you from 
                              what's life itself. No second 
                              choice.


But do not turn to Hollywood to 
                              LEARN

what, first-hand, "the 
                              unpopular" discern.


(*CLAN OF 
                              THE CAVE BEAR)


(2) YOU 
                              SAY, "OLD HIST'RY." Now the world has 
                              changed.

If school tribes shut you out, 
                              that's just a game

that soon will fade -- 
                              UNLESS you are deranged

enough to care 
                              enough to kill and maim . . .


. . . the 
                              ones who choose to never see your face,

or, 
                              "better yet," who choose to take the 
                              time

to fire word paint-balls -- mark you 
                              for disgrace.

With words and silence 
                              girl-slights are "sublime."


They stand 
                              in "huddles" giving others "deaths" 
                              --

those with'ring stares of condescension 
                              meant

to say "we will not deign to waste 
                              our breaths

on worthless nothings. 
                              Stay out of our 
                              tent!"


Exclusion that the 
                              popular enforce

on "others." What "the 
                              cool" teach in their 
                              course.


[CONTINUED IN PART 
                              2]

TeaTimeSunday
TEA TIME in L.A. THE BRONZE / 3.20-5.22.02 RESTORED ARCHIVE OF DELETED FORUM POSTS (NO LINKS OPERATIVE)	BOKE