Charlatan

Scrawled along the underpass
in bulbous block lettering
the graffiti bubbles
in rebellious condemnation

Cars pass it daily
and only a few catch it

It reads: Charlatan

Our guilt illustrated
in one single word

We see ourselves as experts
where there can be no expertise

Arrogance drives by it
with no second glance

Easy to dismiss
as just another billboard
in a world of signage

I saw it this morning
as I layered my solemn face
with a fraudulent smile

Off to deposit prime hours
into the bank of survival.