Make a Scene

You lower your voice when somebody walks by, smooth out the edges, straighten the lie. Pointed correction, barbed revision, cut me from the picture, call it composition. Keep it guarded with an audience near, save all the ugly for when no one can hear. Then look at me sideways the second I speak Like I'm the disturbance you didn't create. Wouldn't want the world to notice. Wouldn't want the truth getting out. Go on— make a scene. You've been making one of me. Keep your story straight, keep your hands pristine I'm done disappearing to keep the peace. Go on— make a scene. Let everybody see. If the room gets uncomfortable, don't put that on me. Here comes the slow voice, reasonable face, perfect poised pause in exactly the right place. Calculated delivery, carefully mild, every next sentence sharpened and filed. You love good behavior when mine is required, love a calm conversation with one side on fire. Here's the correction, since wording is key I'm not making trouble. I'm making it visible. Somebody might believe me. Somebody might look twice. Go on— make a scene. You've been making one of me. Keep your story straight, keep your hands pristine I'm done disappearing to keep the peace. Go on— make a scene. Let everybody see. If the room gets uncomfortable, don't put that on me. Don't make a scene. Funny how that falls on the tempered person. Keep the warning. Keep the whisper. Keep the careful civil cue. If honesty embarrasses you maybe that belongs to you. Go on— make a scene. You've been making one of me. Keep your story straight, keep your hands pristine— I'm done disappearing to keep the peace. Go on— make a scene. Let everybody see. If the room gets uncomfortable, don't put that on me—! Make a scene—! (Make a scene—) Let everybody see— (see— see—) Make a scene—! Yeah, make a scene.