Fat Tuesday is followed not by
denial
sacrifice
gratefulness
rather a garish daily mardi gras
a bawdry parade of loud and proud misfits
attention addicted "psychologically-challenged"
bead-wielding, slatternly women
deep-fried dirt and grime- on a stick if you like
even cell phone thumb chatter
can't drown the siren's ill-sung song
SEX!
MONEY!
POWER!
the spit-polished-bought-on-credit-chrome-wearing Escalade
reflects our national values
...and cringing I can't help but stare