genuflect

they listen to the one
who'd have us all genuflect
as though he'd earned respect
great gallimaufry gathered
round him at the bar
but some of us
have seen his kind before
king in his court
braggadocios brawler
demeaning those he deems
weaker and smaller
commanding attention
from his throne or bar stool
yes, some of us already schooled
in the ways of one who aggrandizes
we've learned to recognize the lies
and we're jealous of those still ignorant
but nervous too
knowing the things that they never knew
we shout, "he's not your friend,
your pal, your mate, your bloke...
the things you value, he thinks a joke"
"Ah," they reply "maybe he's
a bit brash and loud
but he says what he thinks
and that pleases the crowd."
they think he's a such good time
he's fun so they ignore the bits
that don't match their paradigm
oh yes, they love him,
they love him right up until
he blacks their eyes
and leaves them with the bill