Voyeurism for Locals

Moving backwards
Unless you sit opposite
Snow covers the ground
But not branches.
Everyone here
is a practicing voyeur
Peering into the lives
of each other
And others
Not privy to our experience.

Who am I to judge
I sleep in the same camp
After all,
this isn’t a retreat camp
for judges.

I don’t associate with the law
Whenever possible.
I dream of Banana Republics
or at least living somewhere tropical.

Where birds are colorful,
and have been well trained by tourists.
Where people’s cultures fall,
and have been well maimed by tourists.

I long to get flustered
at people’s misinterpretations
Of course, I am now a local
Superior to entire nations.

Michael Carney