Reflecting

Excuses
The ruse is deflect, project, the better
The best, the hyperbolic test
Lest the curtain rise
And pantomime disguise belies
A fear, a deer in the headlights
Kind of blind fright
"What am I doing here?
Fuck the size of the crowd,
The chanting, the feckless ranting of
'Lock her up'
Jesus God, these are Christians?
I don't wish them on anyone."

In quieter moments
When alone with his ego, call him Frank
"Heck of a guy",
He asks,
"Am I the bastard they say I am?"
The nod in the mirror, solemn, devout
Without a smile or pernicious grin
Ginned up for his so-called "base",
Frank, who never lies, for obvious reasons,
Turns away from him,
From himself.