The Picture Is Outside The Frame

I hung my self portrait
next to the mirror
to watch myself change
as I stayed the same
Years of reflection revealed this surprise
that change has no size
and I realized
that the picture is outside the frame

Outside the frame
outside the frame
your attention stays focused
while you fail to notice
that the picture is outside the frame

At the bar on the corner
I joined with my neighbors in
the beer and the booze and the bitchin’ and blame
The bartender smiled as he recognized
that look in my eyes
when the sucker in you dies
’cause you realize
that the picture is outside the frame

Outside the frame
outside the frame
your attention stays focused
as you fail to notice
that the picture is outside the frame

Then I looked up at the stupid box
that fountain of complaint
where gluttony and avarice
are gorged without restraint
where everyone is whimpering
about evil done to them
while hoarding filthy lucre
and feeding every whim
I saw as it short-circuited
and the box burst into flame
the voice of Mother Nature laughing–
The picture is outside the frame