ConstaPanic
By Reid Baer

My siblings follow the
family golden rule and
make plenty of it but
me, I don’t pursue them,
only a voice in my
head telling me I don’t
belong there and I’m a
stranger around here in
constant panic – what’s that?
Constapanic? or like
constipation? stuck in
a reoccurring dream?!
I am never ready
for marriage or kids or
living that pressured life …
I start small and a grade
ahead paralyzed at
the thought of finishing
schooling and dreading a
career before being
properly prepared. I
have no real financial
training nor any fine
degrees only mad dreams:
I can dance and sing a
little, a modern-day
troubadour guilt-ridden
standing single in the
streets hoping to some day
be recognized if not
for me – for some talent
worth pre-payment at the
standard rate - one moment
away from a helpmeet’s
hate, no, I won’t go home
tonight or any other.
We are outnumbered we
three wee brothers with an
impotent father up
against my sister and
mother. Too much trouble
to even bother. God
bless me with another
dream where the gentlemen
out number the women.
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