Beyond the Jurisdiction of the Homeowner’s Association

I’ll bet there are savages living in mud huts!
A hunched, shriveled, dark tribe,
not much brighter than apes,
the gem of anthropological research,
digging in dirt with sticks,
chewing crickets, clicking with their tongues
chanting magic words,
wiping with leaves- Ugh!

No, I’m just kidding! “Savages” have their pristine,
postcolonial charm; we don’t call them “savages.”
Maybe I’m “savage!” Just to set the record straight,
They’re Aboriginal Peoples of Wherever.
I know that.
Of course they are MUCH brighter than apes;
With what genetic superiority shall I
judge their intelligence? I have none!
I only called them “savages”
to see your reaction,
because that’s how I judge people.

No I’m just kidding! I don’t “judge” people.
They aren’t savages-
I don’t “judge.”
Ha ha ha!
They’re people!
Prick them, they bleed!

And just because the people who happen to live
beyond the jurisdiction of the HOA
in the rotting blue trailer topped with a satellite dish
that transmits 17 channels solely dedicated to NASCAR-
just because they have beer cans crushed
by greasy foreheads piled in the front yard
just because they have weeds the size of human femurs
growing from under the haunches
of rusted out, bullet-holed appliances,
just because they have
a device for launching potatoes
leaning against their Leaning Tower
of empty Little Caesar’s pizza boxes,
just because they happen to have
a walrus Mom with candy corn teeth
who birthed a mob of children who all stink,
that doesn’t mean they aren’t “people”.