Analysis of I Do Not Know

I Do Not Know

Like the wick of scented candles
that never touched match or lighter
we look without asking
why or when the purpose will serve

or if the scent does exist. We wonder
why people ask for help when a spark
of current scares and afterwards
pronounce a theory of safety. Your aid

already airborne. Marketers make money
out of their immense cheek and you are muted
by the ease and obvious guiltlessness. You
are reminded of being duped because

you believed. So are wary when best
intentions fall prey to the need for greed
and prefer to comment after the sales pitch.
What do you know, anyway, of a crime

you no longer commit. Cleansed by a conscience
you wished you didn't have. You cannot go
with the flow you already know was a close
shave were it not for a fluke undeserved.

You keep your peace while the pitch plays
repeatedly to embrace the pain so that
it loses power. You are dumb like the cat
got your tongue and try to give it an effort.

Shut your trap so that
the others around the buffet might see
that your spittle does not accompany
the imminent epidemic emissary.