What it Is

.

It escapes my grip like smoke.

I used to think

that I could build it

and it would remain,

but these empty,

hollow structures

give testimony

to the lie

my creations were built on.

Such as it is in life.

The sweat drips,

the fear grips,

the blood spills,

and the mind reels.

But in the end

you might have to

walk away,

as that place

becomes a cage,

and Heaven

turns into Hell.

Yeah,

We know very well

how easily it goes that way.

One must become adept

at abandoning

their compromised position,

and being ready

to move on

and build anew.

Suffer that defeat

and never stop fighting,

lest we become enthralled

by the chains

of our own creations.

Strength,

love,

mercy,

humility,

kindness.

These words sound different

to me, now.

They don’t patronize,

or ring hollow,

because I know

that each one

comes

with a cost.

.

.

DJR – 2020