Reputation

Dear Reputation,

How are people’s opinions such a priority that you are even a word.

How do you matter. How do you pursue tangibility.

With such fragility are you tainted.

Damaged.

Distorted.

How difficult it is to frame you, keep you intact.

Unblemished.
How funny you are, you figment. You inanimate thing.

How is it that you are so authoritative, without even being consciously registered.

You guide so many decisions. You hold so much power. It is as if the brain relies on you.

You are frustrating, the way you are so pressing. You inanimate thing.

Other people’s words. Other people’s thoughts. How do you have the ability, the audacity…

To demand them such import.

You make us mad.

Unhinged.

How do you imagine life would be like…

If you ceased to exist.

No more need to uphold an image.

Defenestration of makeup, of filters of...

Of manners, of hygiene, of...

Of restraints.  

Think how much would crumble.

The church.

The government.

All due to the removal of one motivation. Of an inanimate thing.

Dear Reputation,

How do you manage such hateful necessity.

Your forever devotee,

Annabelle