Authenticity.

Authenticity

   caught up in a rhythm of speak-easy love
   societal strictness as the grounds for drink
   so found themselves exorcised of doubts
   orthodoxy sabotaging the selfless selves
   frolicking hard till the curtain came down
   came in alone went out a stranger music
   sounds more dog than dog would ever be
   as praise embarrassed his gleaming horn
   passersby rubbing fingers on his cheeks
   to see indeed if the color would come off

Timothy Liu is the author of six books of poems, most recently "For Dust Thou Art." He lives in Hoboken.