You Have Been Selected

for an additional security screening.

A random number generator chose you, not fate.

So please step into this area discretely set aside

for your convenience.  We'll keep your passport

and boarding pass.  You won't need either

if you fail this screening. So hope the cat

wasn't prowling the nearby construction site

where they keep explosives before, hungry,

she brushed against you in the kitchen.

And hope your wife hasn't hoarded all her

grievances for an unexpected payback now

just as you're finally  leaving to start anew

anywhere that welcomes people like you,

anywhere that doesn't require screening.