'Be anxious for nothing..." ~Philippians 4:6

Thursday, July 25, 2024

THURSDAY THOUGHTS: POETRY PROMPT---BLIND AMBITION



“The Greatest in the Kingdom” 
Is the title they all seek
But, one by one, they’re branded dumb 
Quite cowardly and weak
Believing they must tow the line 
Always conform, or else
Boot-licking, grinning, tap dancing 
With no true sense of self
Taking orders from a trickster
So sure they’re above the law
Ignoring red flags, flaunting rules
Excusing every flaw

Are they keeping score 
Or are they truly blind?
There’s a pattern they aren’t seeing
Favor's what they think they’ll find—
As long as they’re compliant 
Little pieces of their souls
Are chipped away, as well as
Any dignity they’ve known
Once respected, but now, 
That time’s long past
It’s interesting how they all think 
This honeymoon will last 

It’s hard to understand 
How and why anyone
Would work so hard--risk 
self-respect
Until there’s simply none
Daily hoping that no one 
With brain cells will surmise
Their memory’s not great
And they can’t keep up with their lies
Still, they hope that they will skip 
The looming consequences
Be exempt when justice comes
Be done with mending fences

Bad Company will leave them scarred
And with straight face, will say
“I don’t know who these losers are
And clothe them in dismay
"But I loved and endorsed you!"
The bewildered patsies sing
Then lament what they threw away
Simply to kiss a ring

How many more will risk it all?
Is the promise that tempting?
Honesty lost when duty called
One more career’s sad ending
“I just did what I was told
Can’t be the line they use
When gross missteps surely unfold
And pardons are refused

What does their ruler have on them
That makes them sanction nonsense?
Or, are they the chosen kind
Straddlers of the fence?
Are they desperate
Are they scared?
Is there a possibility 
That a law-abiding citizen’s
Not who they wish to be?

Perhaps, some used to stand for good
Not get caught up in madness
Maybe they all misunderstood
The strongman's circumstances
Loyal to none; True to no one
Will more bow down in shame
Before this maddening farce is done?
Who'll forfeit their good name?

No comments:

Post a Comment