Some Assembly Required

a july birthday

a few big boxes arrive

you feel the ensuing

ennui and dread in knowing

that the wee hours

of the night before the party

will be lost putting toddler gifts together

the instructions mostly diagrams

except for an enclosed missive

announcing the disclaimers and

noting without a trace of irony

from the unknown author

in case you hadn’t noticed

some assembly is required

all-in-all

a manual of sorts

for the gathering

of thoughts

necessary tools

and preparation

a salute to

adult concentration

and the allen wrench

a demand for intervention

by grownups who

can read instructions

in the printed language

of their choice

or scan a code

to make a video tutorial

appear on their phone

from an aspiring influencer

with no discernible

teaching skills

or perspective

most know too well

the lonely often

frustrating chore

assembly ushers in

the slow and

thankless business

of fitting reluctant pieces together

of making objects run

on batteries and switches

such drudgery causes

even well-trained

and disciplined minds

to wander away

from the proceedings

forgivably

to think of things

a person shouldn't

to ponder in these moments

of tedium and dread

with all the parts spread

and unattached

how it might be if

elected leaders too proceeded

with some respect

for thought and introspection

despite the effort required

took the time

between cheeseburgers

to think things through

to plan and implement

a coherent strategy

after committing

to the endeavor

to make a passing attempt

at assembling the final product

in the manner intended

no last-minute winging shit

no whims or arrogant whimsy

revised repeatedly before tomorrow

no cutting corners

to get out on the golf course

or to scam a quick buck online

just a compassionate few

who care enough to build

from the finest plastic prime ships

in recycled cardboard cartons

a world reasonably safe for children