Oh, You Know

It’s sweet when you catch your tail,
For instance, when a pollster
Puts in a fictional name

As cat among the pigeons,
Polling name recognition.
How many people will claim

To recognize or even
Know a lot about that name
Made up for the poll, maybe

A higher percentage
Than claim that they recognize
Actual politicians?

Comedians play these pranks
All the time, man-on-the-street
Interviews asking passing

Pedestrians about fake
News, celebrity gossip,
Or absurdly outrageous

Imaginary events,
Preposterous suggestions.
The TV audience laughs

As the pedestrians nod
Confidently and opine
About what doesn’t exist,

About experiences
They’ve never had and couldn’t
Possibly ever have had.

Everyone knows everyone
Will lie about what you know
If you think you can fake it.

Why it’s sweet, why it’s funny,
Why it’s always surprising
To be shown this, no one knows.