a Poem for J.D. Salinger

everyone read "Catcher in the Rye"
and if i were you
i'd be angry too
it's required high school reading
but people only feel that angst
that disgust
that bitterness with humanity
for 5 minutes
then something shiny comes along and distracts them
and they forget about what made them angry in the first place
i understand you
and that might seem
like some passive shit you hear
or read
in every letter
you receive
but i get it
it's all a cycle
everyone bleeds
they mop up the blood
and sweat
with bread provided by
their parents
and then you're left
empty
alone
with nothing
but the words on the page
to keep the madness at bay
i get it
you
are
the
martyr