tried and failed

Today Barack Obama took me out to lunch
We went to Panera Bread. I forgot to put on deodorant,
dark gray armpit patches formed and dried, formed and dried

Barack Obama said you've looked better
I said yeah you too

We smiled, sipped sodas
Munched our $9 sandwiches
In an almost contented silence

He was polite, asked me questions
about school, church, home:

"School is challenging, I'm working hard and getting good grades"
"I go to church every Sunday, it helps me to help others"
"I'm so excited to go home for Christmas"

Barack Obama didn't call me out, he just smiled again, almost sadly
The man understands the necessity of lies

Formed and dried, formed and dried
Layers of uncertainty