Freaks With Wings

Some summer somewhere
A flock of schoolkids forms around a flagpole in prayer
Thinking about their rights
Asking that their god make them a pretty prom night
That doesn't stop the wasp's assault
Swoops down onto the shoulder of some unsuspecting psalm
Singing, "I belong here, too!"
Leaves his stinger there and flies from the invisible pew

And in the courtyard out back
Custodians duck out with their cigarettes
Small talk about their trucks and their president
A healthy "I don't give a fuck" as the yellowjacket
Swoops down to meet the boot of the Janitor King
Who stands unflinching and says

"They're all freaks with wings
That's all they are
Those little things don't scare me off
I've got a sting to show you all
It's called 'living under the law"

My own summer nightmare
With June descending like a hornet on some pheromone tear
Thinking every night
Of all the times my mother told me it'll be alright
That doesn't stop July's assault
Crawls out from underneath the heel with very strange aplomb
So steady as she goes
But in my stupor, I'd have told you then that time didn't know

Outside the room where you died
They asked what you were like and I might've cried
Some sister grabbed my hand, and with beady eyes
Set her gaze upon my skull, and she proselytized
Saying, "God protects our dead" and though the thought was nice
If I saw an angel, I'd think

They're all freaks with wings
That's all they are
Such pretty things won't get you far
And yet on high, they sing, to send you off
Or so the children pray under the cloth

Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen