Acidic Veneers

From where such comes?

Paths of growth
molecule by molecule
osmosis bringing some
birth bringing many

All perform their purpose
the leaf
the berry
the evolved creature
man

Yet unknown to most
forces concealed
by nature
by technology
by deceit
temp the dangerous walk
upon ice too thin to trust

Nature warns us
as technology but implores us
all while gluttony takes aim
ignoring any and all boundary

Like a flame unquenched
envy and desire finds oxygen
amidst our unbridled drive

Once love's caress
now but duplicitous habit
learned fear feasts upon the screams
contained within

If I can't have it
you can't either

Grown up children trapped
by fantasy-imbued expectations
clothes
nips
tucks
lifts
implants
Botoxification
and lest we forget
Platinum cards

Yet distinct from unlimited plastic
or yellow reds and blues in a bottle
the attendant poisonous infliction on one's mind
remains as an open wound
where malice hides
waits
gently revs its engine
then creeps
until
while sentience sleeps
and vulnerability lies naked
opportunity leaps

Ah
veneers
so crafty
such clever disguises
for our less than perfect incisors
hidden by practiced thin lips of cunning
now gone needle-generated kiss kiss

Enhancements all
to satiate visceral appetites
regardless of cost

And if
reality takes its time
there's always the awaiting tabloids
to feed upon

How tempting
their four-color purpose
promoting preditory peep-shows
glorifying weaknesses and mistakes
venality in disguise
awaiting the pathetic of our species
especially at check-out stands
that place where reading takes place
the only reading for many

And yet...

Some of us choose to believe
breath remains in abundance
to think
to do
to be something beyond this acid veneer
something akin to the beginning
when life was Nature's innocent gift
when a baby's need was to rejoice
not regret