We mostly walk on the pavement

I was walking home today and noticed - strange - that although the road was completely empty of traffic we all still walked on the pavement.  Not really that strange perhaps but it did make me realise that we are basically conformist and for the most part that is an acceptable thing to be.  So perhaps going a little against the grain of modern poetry here is an ode in praise of conformity...

We mostly walk on the pavement

and mostly ignore the fact

that windows are easily broken

that glass is easily cracked

and objects belonging to others

could very easily be

lifted through broken windows

a handbag, perhaps a tv.

We just don’t, most of us, mostly

we simply abide by the rules

a set of agreed ordinations

decreed by our forebears, the fools.

And most of us mostly wear undies

to protect from an unpleasant stain

and most of us find some protection

whenever it’s starting to rain.

These are things that we do out of habit

and a feeling that such things are right:

when you’re using your phone I don’t grab it

though I could – (and maybe I might,

just because it is really annoying

when people use phones on the train

or the bus or the street or the library - 

seems I’ve gone off on one again.)

I think what I’m trying to fathom

and what I am trying to explain

is that people are generally similar

and generally good at the game

of being human and getting along with

the people that live round about.

It’s all too easy to get strong with

the people who dither about

but we don’t, do we, mostly,

we patiently let them get through

or get on the bus just before us

even when they were last in the queue.

We’re sociable animals mostly

and I’m glad about that, yes I am.

We modify our own behaviour

So we don’t all end up in a jam.

So thank you for not going naked

and thank you for not pooing there

and thank you for just being pleasant

and human

and kind

and aware.