We like to think of ourselves
as uncommon.
It's sad to believe
we're one of the great
unwashed;
just part of the milling herd,
a small speck
in that fuzzy fly by
twixt LA and New York.

It's more pleasant
to think of ourselves
as cream,
rising to the top,
an ascending star
in life's sky of dark!
But unsettling currents
of reality,
drown those pleasing
self-delusions,
as we awaken
in our work-a-day world.

We look about
seeing the accomplished
basking in the glow
of adoring adherents,
as they smile down indulgently
at happy faces, ...