My Human Disguise.
The wagon was a hit in the Virtue Parade.
Men and women (we couldn’t tell apart) costumed
In various stages of address and undress,
Depicted what we all lust for and none evade —
The self-righteousness that cannot be self-consumed.
The wagon dragged an anchor; why?, we couldn’t guess.
We marveled how the actors laughed but couldn’t smile,
Flinging candied hearts to the crowd mile after mile.
They tasted sweet and dour like sugary chalk
And gave no joy to boy or girl of true virtue
(Each of us knew ourselves to be one of those few).
The wagon was now full of nudes — look at us gawk!
Underthings, pants, and dresses came showering down.
A bald man in the crowd donned a harlequin’s crown.