so many people
are doing better than me
raking in money
and favors
and honey
reaping awards
and acclaim
winning each round
of the game}
that we play
lauded and laureled
wherever they go
why that’s not me
i don’t know
i’m at least as smart
if not smarter by half
i’m told i have heart
and can make people laugh
but i don’t get the plaudits
that go to the favored
by birth or genetics
or connections they’re given
on silver plate platters
as their limos are driven
to red carpet galas
where they’re celebrated
for work
which in truth
they have just delegated
but so many people
are doing much worse
and look at my progress
as unfair
or perverse
they think
they deserve
more unreserved glee
and can’t understand
how i can be
where i am
in the order of pecking
when at the least
we should be neck and necking
instead
i’m ahead
at least in their eyes
leading them to despise
my meager achievements
building resentment
over minor bereavements
and imagined injustice
i guess that no matter
whoever you are
or whatever you do
someone will always
do better than you
while lots of others
will be faring much worse
and they will curse you
under their breath
while you
with the warmness
of lady macbeth
rail against those
who please
some great rewarder
and seem to be higher
in life’s pecking order