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