mercy in bonds

the endless shift
drifting
through the tireless
void
beyond the conscious
state
we pretend to be
living

a great game
of love,
lust,
longing,
and shame
where we all hope
for
prosperity,
wealth,
and gain

but the pieces
are lost,
tossed aside
and replaced
with tears
and trials
and meaningless
pride

this is where
we all go
when we're
pretending to hide

and it does not
reflect where we go
when we die

in this moment,
we are given
but a single chance
to fight

luxury of the loins,
birthing
the next row of
weeds
to be mowed down
in a desperate attempt
to encourage
progress

and we hold each other
tight
and hope to make it through
the night
where something sinister
lurks
in the murky drop pan
of a made over
social disgust

we have a war on drugs
and a war on pedophiles
and a war on rapists
and a war on men
and a war on women
and wars on poverty
and wars on science
and ingenuity
and grace
but most of all,
we fight a war on life
that has been waged
since we took our first steps
out of the bloody tides
that brought us here

and at what point
do we end the infliction
of misery
for a more merciful,
meaningful
way of life?