HATING CROWDS

HATING CROWDS

I remembered why

I don’t like crowds

Recalling that terrible

Intimidating day

Waiting in a shoe shop

On Market Street

Only there to find

Shoes for a wedding

I remembered why

That shouting wall of people

Red and white warpaint

All fearful flag bedecked

With that big bass drum

Intimidating everyone

Off to a triangle of a game

Played out on a big screen

I remembered why

It disturbs me so

When people think as one

Daring you to disagree with

The single mind of the mob

Like when people shout

Back the lyrics at concerts

Minds moving beyond thought

I remembered why

People all together

Thinking as one mind

Really disturbs me

One goose-step from the mob

Terrifying the outsider

Their undeserved victories

Spur them on ingloriously

I remembered why

I haven’t wanted

To be in a crowd since

That awful afternoon

So I find myself

Hoping they’ll lose

Because otherwise

They’ll be insufferable

MAWH, July 2018