Pod People

From the outside, we look good.

The five of us file out the door

our church shoes click-click-clicking.

If we can only

make it to our pew

sit up straight, hair combed

teeth brushed,

Dad’s wide tie even

Mom’s makeup in place, then everything

will be okay.

My friends tell me that I have

such a handsome father

a beautiful mother

adorable sister and brother.

What the heck happened to you? Ha ha.

They are all so envious with their own

frumpy, old, plain-looking parents.

We look good,

but I know we are

holding our fingers in cracks as we smile.

Hey, we’re happy.

Doing just fine, thanks.

No problems

here.