GET A LIFE: SAY HELLO TO THOSE WHO IGNORE YOU!
THE HUMAN RACE
WILDEBEESTS NEED RECOGNITION, TOO!
As we trudge along the wild uncharted
trails of civilization, there’s nothing
more refreshing than recognition
from another Earthling.
You know, a little eye talk, a smile,
a nod, a wink, a pinch, a salute,
or simply a pleasant, “Hi.”
It’s invigorating to encounter a
stranger smitten with acute benevolence.
After all, our journey is quite brief.
It can end abruptly, or painfully
last far longer than expected.
So what’s the sense of traipsing
through life as sour-faced
scaredy-cats or pompous schmucks?
The laws of civilized-jungle-survival
are obvious: Steer clear of
grizzly bears in dark alleys.
Don’t tweak a werewolf’s snout.
Even at safe havens like
the Coffee Bean or Starbucks,
never fall for a line delivered by
an amorous silverback sporting a Rolex.
That beast wants nothing more than
to drag you off into the brush.
Predatory creatures definitely exist.
But that’s no reason to curl up
like a porcupine trying to hide your
very essence from pass’ers-by’.
If you bump into a wildebeest,
try not to be intimidated
by his scraggly demeanor.
Pounding beneath that gruff exterior,
you might discover a caring heart.
As those mousy mortals with
their deadpan pusses parade by,
startle them with a harsh, “Boooo!”
While they’re scurrying away,
eyes cast downward and
tail tucked between their legs,
howl after them, “Hey!
I’m just a fellow traveler
in search of a kind word…
I don’t even bite!”
— Boots LeBaron —