it was amusing to make fun of paying
some of the highest prices in the world
for poor quality basic necessities,
like pretty mediocre home internet
for around eighty bucks a month.
we were amazed at their complete
lack of understanding of the outside
world, coupled with an incredible
sense of superiority. and it was puzzling
how it was possible for them to have
a much lower life expectancy than we do
and the highest maternal mortality rate
in the developed world.
but now we are simply terrified
that a teenager with an assault rifle
could kill people on the street and,
freed of charges, leave the courthouse
with his head held high, or another
extremist could drive a car into a crowd
of protesters with impunity. this is where
their dream can become a nightmare
for the rest of us.
hidden pilcrow 