Southern Hospitality

Below the Mason-Dixon,

People pass pretend pleasantries

Over sweet iced tea

After Sunday church.

They smile at each other

In the grocery store,

Holding doors

Longer than necessary.

Out of habit or to be kind?

No one knows anymore.

The cicadas sing

Love songs for the sunners

And backhanded bastards beat

"Please, thank you, sir and ma'am"

Into us with sugar coated sarcasm

Bless your heart

Did you think those

Sweet southern someones

Were genuine?

Well, ain't you precious.