The Bakery Has No Bakers


The bakery has no bakers
instead
behind the steaming muffins
auto parts salespeople lounge with unfamiliarity in sugary smocks
the auto parts distributor has no salespeople
instead
leaning on the formica desks
zoologists stare uncomprehendingly at catalogues of carburetor screws
the zoos are without experts
instead
pacing cages littered with disappointment
bank tellers try desperately to get the various species' calves to suckle
the banks have no tellers
instead
flanked by imposing fake marble pillars
dentists get flummoxed by electronic dollar bills counters
the patients have no dentists
instead
trembling in garages
neighbors prepare to extract teeth with force over flair
the people have no neighbors
instead
in empty houses filled
hate groups burn welcome mats and upturn hospitality carts
the hate groups have no members
instead
during clandestinely chilly meetings
ordinary citizens try their best to work up an outrage about
        someone very much like themselves
the ordinary citizens are extra-ordinary
instead
at proms with "pows" and "bams"
superheroes vie for the girl or boy next door by displaying
        increased tolerance of kryptonite
the comic books have no superheroes
instead
framed in garish printing greens
presidents spew lying thought balloons
the presidency has no president
instead
taking charge of the state of affairs
a country feels in its pocket for change