Respect

In high school, he was a geek
But they didn’t know that in Jersey
They called him Cali
Impressed that this white boy from the west survived the streets of Long Beach
Only a freshman yet somehow he infiltrated the in crowd
For the first time in life he felt esteemed
And after tonight, initiation day, everyone would know his name
Pledging was insane but the strong survived
He would be Greek no matter the price
Phi Kappa Tau
“Learning. Leading. Serving.”
Raving. Humping. Gulping
Down lemon flavored Vodka by the liter
The crowd cheered as his liver flexed and shifted to 5th gear
He could hear the respect he craved
Big brothers and babes chanting his name
Slamming the conquered bottle on the table
He made out with a stranger
Then collapsed on a bed of beer cans and red cups
No one bothered to pick him up as the party chugged on
Minutes later someone notice he had yet to rise
Someone noticed his eyes, all white
Someone notified the police
Everyone heard sirens, ringing
Like the church bells that Sunday
When hundreds before him bowed, heads to their breasts
Giving him, finally, respect