P A R T O N E

***

No one who stood outside those open gates,

Could ever feel like they fit in even if they dress their best.

Teasing them of a success they could never reach

Without a bone out of their knuckles,

A nail out of their fingers,

A voice out of their throats,

And a toe out of their feet.

No, easy succes is not permissible when you do not wear

Tiny bejeweled roses on the tips of your hair,

Or perhaps those expensive watches you wrap around your wrists,

Handbags and ties that people would carelessly swipe their cards for the sake of a humble gift.

***