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The General

from Life In The Metropole by State Forest

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lyrics

The general walks in with his wife and children
With open one-armed hugs, “Merry Christmas to you all!”
(While gesturing to a great oak tabletop)
“The last time that I saw you, you were only this tall!
Come in, place your coats in the closet down at the end of the hall”

Overheard from the living room
I turned in my chair as soon as I heard the honorific
His resume splayed to his breast
So he’s the one that I’ve heard so much about;
Crew cut, clean shaven, with a stiff stoic gait about him

“Make yourself at home, dinner will be ready in about an hour”
(Pointing to a fogged mic-century timer)
“Place your presents are over there in the corner by the tree
and I’ll call out when everything's all set and ready”

I pulled a chair up beneath a framed family crest
as a member asks the man clad in martial extravagance:
“Sir, Ive watched the news, but how is the war really going?
We're the best army in the world - it appears we’re losing!”

The rest of the ears perked up as the general placed down his cup
“We’re hamstrung by the feckless doves! and the department expects too much!”
“Do they not understand who we’re dealing with on the ground over there?”
“They understand, they just aren’t capable of modern warfare”

“I see what you’re saying, so why not just clear the field and start over?”
“Yeah! Carpet bomb them back into the stone age!”
“They’re really not that far off anyway…”
Quipped the general in return and I felt sick.

I question if I should’ve brought the war home
rather than remembering sitting impotently uncomfortable
‘You should all be ashamed of yourselves!’ plays on a loop in my head
I could’ve volunteered somewhere or anything else instead

‘But what would that do? Would it’ve changed the affect of anyone in that room?’
‘It's a protest to the institution I’m arguably closest to!’
'I get that, and maybe you’re right, but maybe you could be mistaking
regret for insight. Or confusing choice with obligation’

What a comedic affair when cathartic calls for violence are paired with gift-wrapped chocolates, lasagna, and seasonal cheer.
Is it not the same cruelty when the people involved collectively share
my similar jaw-line, nose, eye shape, or the color of my hair?

credits

from Life In The Metropole, released April 11, 2022

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