Fickle Claims

We claim we are atheists

But turn god-fearing before an exam

We claim we are democratic

But clamp down an opposing voice

We claim we are honest

But sneak a bribe without blinking

We claim we aren’t prone to envy

But turn the same shade of green as the neighbor's new car

We claim to aspire for contentment

But burn ourselves out for another raise

We claim we’re just being funny

When our humor is aimed at another’s sorrow

We claim we are world travelers

But don’t know the name of the neighboring state  

We claim we are compassionate

But turn the other way when we hear a cry for help

We claim we believe in simplicity

But indulge in ostentatious one-upmanship

We claim we are humble

But we need the world to acknowledge our grandeur

We claim we treasure friendships

But how easily we let our egos break the ties of a lifetime

We claim that we’ll love the other in sadness and in health

But seem to fall unwell during times of sadness

We claim to be patriotic

But strangely only on days of national significance

We claim we live by noble ideals

But it’s always our words, not our actions, which does the talking

If only we were held accountable to all our claims

I wonder whether we’d be so quick to make claims in vain.