Preparation Frustration

The green back pack
The uniformity
The denim tents
The glorious fire
The merit badges
But, something's missing

The bruises turn black
They strive for conformity
No need for rent
Or a funeral pyre
Only some matches
To illuminate what's missing

They begin as a pack
Not a sorority
They nurture the den
And avoid the quagmire
They clean up the scratches
And find themselves wishing

Their Golden Rule
"BE PREPARED"
Has turned to frustration
"BE PREPARED"
The anthem they live by
Is it a lie?
Preparation  Frustration
The boy scouts they are
The eagles they'll be
Simply has no room
For preparation frustration

Tony Taylor (Chicago)