Cheaters Always Win

I frown as I watch you prance 'round the stage
"What are you doing?" I ask.
How could you make such a fool of yourself,
Of me, of us? All fools.
Clapping, smiling, cheering,
Don't they know it's not all right?
It's an illusion, only a mirage
An imaginary figment.

So we shake our heads and turn away
Mutter questions, snide comments.
A backhanded compliment here and there
Completes the whole charade.

You must know how you look up there,
All made up with nowhere to go.
Lost among the story lines
We really ought to know
Why you all would do this, and who would even let you
Perform such song and dance.
I am sure that you know what they're all gonna say,
But you smile and walk away.

So we shrug and take our arguments
Somewhere they will be heard
A roll of the eyes, a small half-smirk
Say more than our tongues ever could.

You laugh looking back at the stage
Where you say, "I will always reign,
Supreme over anyone else
Who tries to get in our way."
A tired snort is our only response,
We know better than to say more.
So we just smile and wonder when
It will be our turn to shine.