Fabric Of Life

Speak Easy

Speak easy, speak.

Speak ee-zee, speak.

Keep the atmosphere  cool

and issues on the “down low.”

When they ask, “What’s up?”

don’t mention depression

or nothing folks don’t want to know.

Speak easy, speak low.

Speak crazy-hype-happy

like good fortune made a permanent residence

at your door,

though hours before

you pawned your favorite ring to keep the lights on!

Speak like those days are so long gone

you’ve forgotten how to spell broke,

let alone unemployed.

Speak crazy-hype-happy,

like you’ve never known nothing but joy.

Stock up on plastic smiles and rubber opinions,

ready to follow the hype

to the Jones’ backyard

and with the proper set and props,

disregard personal misfortune

as you drown everyone

in an endless ocean of personal accomplishments.

Speak crazy-hype-happy,

like good times never end.

Speak deep inner peace,

the kind that would make prophets jealous

and leave apostles ill equipped

to compare to you.

With eyes unblinking,

stare desperation in the face,

serenely quoting a clever “silver lining” quip,

while tripping over your own heart,

squelching tears before they start in public,

only to drown later when you’re alone.

But in front of others, for now at least,

speak deep inner peace.

Speak easy, speak.

Speak ee-zee, speak.

Speaking easy, speaking a crazy-hype-happy peace.

Keeping it cool, keeping it low.

“What’s up John?”

“Ah man… it’s all good!”

It’s… all… good…

‘cause no one really wants to know,

so… speak easy.