A jacket he said- as I’m digging through my drawer,

Settle on a suit top as tonight’s armor,

“Tonight’s about great minds and important individuals”,

It’s the typical visual that’s pushed me to be so cynical,

Age, tone, and gender- It’s all predictable

I pray at that age my posse isn’t so hypocritical- but formidable.

 Chuckles and laughs as my façade is perfected,

How can we be the best with diversity disrespected?

But now I’m hungry- not for this overpriced steak,

But for the underpriced stakes that make good men brake.

When they take- without questioning or asking,

Whether it’s what they deserve or if their service is lacking.

I don’t seek blacking or stacking

But a merit based reality with proportional taxing.