Rites and Rituals

there are rites and rituals

that we must follow;

there are rules and regulations

that we must ignore;

there are values and ethics

from which we must select;

there are morals and integrity

that we must violate;

and, in so doing...

we can raise our pudgy hand

and say we are American

while at the same time,

we cross the fingers of our

other hand behind our back.

9Aug13