The Envy Of Friends Poem by RIC BASTASA

we who have everything
if you only come closer
do not have anything at all
you should know that
by now

you do not have to envy us
we just know how to package our faces
in a box of smile and
that hurried laughter
beside the pool where the
party is going

what we do not have
is all you have
what you do not have
is actually not important
ours is mere paper
yours is pure affection

bear the lightness of your load
do not look beyond our fences
sit comfortably within the confines
of your wife and children
on that ordinary but
warm sofa

you know very well
we do not have ourselves
we have an expensive house
a number of cars, a bloated bank account
a network of friends
and super influence
but come closer
closer than closer
we do not have
actually a home
we do not have sincerity
we are not genuine
we are like wax that burn
when the sun
begins to shine

so you see
all is fair and square
turn off that green color
of your eyes
live your life
like you have never lived before
like you have never known us
that closer enough