Running

Running.
But from what and to where?
To deny.
In a disguise.
Hoping with a wish to successfully hide.

Running.
Desperately in need,
To escape from the fear of threats.
Nowhere near to have appeared,
Close enough to one's own doorsteps.
Although...
Convincing are the rumors heard to hear,
Whispered from one ear to the next.
Keeps them running.
Until out of breath.
Yet...
Without explanation that identifies,
From what or a reason why one so upset...
Feels such fear kept ongoing.
To observe and witness,
From the outside in.
Not to know a reason why yet relies,
On rumors to hear and lies told to deceive.
Repeatedly!

'I appreciate your invitation,
To experience something completely unique.
However,
I don't want to make this an issue.
Since...well...'

But...
Go ahead, anyway.
I expected this.

'Ok.
Every few minutes,
A group of screaming people...
Will pass by us.
And...
As we eat outside of this restaurant.
And either you are pretending,
Not to pay them any attention.
Or...
You are ignoring them not to notice.
As if on your mind they don't exist.
Which is it!?
Is there something I'm not getting to miss?'

Oh, them?
Specifically, no.
This to experience,
May open your mind and eyes...
To fresh, creative and inviting ideas.
I forgot to mention,
It's the annual Scream Festival.

'Huh? The what?'

The annual Scream Festival.
And folks actually pay,
To scream their heads off down this street.
With a doing that has grown,
Into a very popular tourist attraction.
With a picking this particular restaurant,
As an approval viewing location.

'Stop exaggerating.
They are hired actors, right?
But...
They look as if,
They could be out of their minds for real.'

And that's the mystery of it all.
Secret are the judges evaluating them.
Along the the streets while they scream.
The tourists come each year to witness,
People pretending to be crazed.
With a doing it to pay for prizes to receive.
While the money collected goes to charity.
To be rumored to benefit,
The psychiatric needs of those who run!
It's all in fun.
Those who live here are also part of the event.
They walk around carrying straitjackets.
To then capture one or two screamers,
Pretending to resist being strapped up.

'That's...
Isn't that fraud?'

Here that is called,
Philanthropy.
And...
Check this out,
There is a ScreamFest Ball that honors...
Those charities created,
By the same philanthropists.
Who give away trips and other prizes,
To the best screamers in town to be found.

'That's...
Isn't that theft?'

Here we call it,
Good politics.
With an investing to keep,
Those running for political office...
On good terms with their constituents.
Living in communities receiving the funds.
Supported by their shown attendance given.

'And what is that called?
Besides hypocrisy.'

Enrichment.

'You mean...
Enlightenment, right?'

Here?
No!
Tax free Philanthropy.
Enriching.
With a giving back,
A guaranteeing to receive...
Some kind of acknowledgement.
The doing has become a local ritual.
Leaving the people thrilled to endorse,
Whatever Lola wants, promising Lola gets.

'Oh?
And, who is Lola?'

The waitress and owner of this restaurant!

'Is she also a politician?'

Indirectly?
Yes.
Yet, far more clever.
She is the one who gets to select,
Who sets up their campaign office...
In the bar she owns next door.

'Geeessshhh.
How small is this town?'

It's not the town.
It is the minds of the people.
Loving to run this place to keep as is.
Unique to kept beliefs that become rituals.