Empathy and the Transcendental Self

Sit up straight
Wipe that smirk right off your face
This is a serious situation
Someone else is watching
You’re complete unto yourself
An end meant to stand
Alone and composed of absence
Rational
A machine
A blank slate with a blank stare

Yes ma’am, yes ma’am, yes ma’am
This house is well ordered
This meal well cooked
This wine well poured
Wisdom is thine beauty
Mine, mere formal attire
It suits me
It’s for my own good
From on high, I’ll be seen
No matter the direction
You may inspect
My whole person
With no service charge or fee

And leave me be
Leave me be
Leave me be