First-World Guilt

Thomas Quitzau

November 26, 2022

When I think that I might utter something

Profound, provocative, of great import

Connected to millions in social sport

When I pretend, I am worldly knowing!

Profound…provocative…of great import…

Shame on me that most of my time is spent

(When I pretend I am worldly knowing!)

Not among the needy, the pained, the poor

Shames me to own most of my time is spent

In this minuscule mind to me You’ve lent

Not with the needy, the pained, or the poor

As gravity pulls me hard to hard floor

And this minuscule mind You’ve lent to me 

Tricked by Your Earth’s hypnotic false rhythm

Back hard to hard floor gravity pulls me

Home, fed, wondering why I’m not with ’em

Thomas Quitzau grew up in the Gulf Coast region and worked for over 30 years in Houston, Texas. A self-ascribed member of the ZenJourno School of poetry, Tom recently relocated with his family to Long Island, New York where he teaches and writes.