GOOD BUT NOT GREAT

from the time they were kids
in the backseat in the driveway
waiting for someone to turn the engine on

when their parents were fighting
in the middle of the night
in the kitchen with all the lights on

when they brought home trophies
and placed them next to their father
and the backyard was overgrown

they felt old and lonely
in the big quiet house
whenever they were home alone

if there’s one thing I’ve learned
that I absolutely hate
it’s that so many men and so many women
are good but not great

how hard were they trying
or were they just tired
of being reminded everyday

you’re not as pretty as you used to be
neither am I
you said you wouldn’t do this today

someone’s always out of town
someone’s always home
was either one ever really missed

sitting around the kitchen table
everyone in their place
dreaming of their first kiss

if there’s one thing I’ve learned
that I absolutely hate
it’s that so many men and so many women
are good but not great

everyone is burning
nobody is speaking
the best thing to do is go back to sleep

everyone is crying
with their faces in their pillows
it’s a secret they all had to keep

mornings were the same
staring at their breakfast
one foot in the night before

a clock in every room
keeping the time
waiting ’til there isn’t anymore

if there’s one thing I’ve learned
that I absolutely hate
it’s that so many men and so many women
are good but not great

 — Allegheny Morning Sky