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?