Acts of Civic Pride

It is my experience that acts of civic pride are, almost by definition, fleeting. I do not fit into society neatly; I tolerate it like a cat tolerates a bath, and in addition to my grumbling, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that I appear awkwardly misshapen and lumpy — like a wet cat, that is — when I’m being social. But every once in a while I muster the energy to work with the cultural infrastructure, and the cultural infrastructure accepts my efforts, even shifting a bit to one side so that I’m a little less misshapen and lumpy, and for a beat or two there we are, not only coexisting but actually harmonizing, and it’s one of the most rewarding feelings I’ve ever had.