Irony

inflexible view
so rigid in its intent

resolved
to control
and manipulate
all circumstances

entitled to everything
owing nothing

self-appointed heir
to an empty fortune

the paradox:
service extended
but unrecognized
by the world

i aim to please,
but cannot satisfy,
from a place
of false comfort

stumbling down
this rocky path

blindfolded
by my own vanity
and small-minded
confusion

absolute perception
yields relative misery
unaffected by fate
or serendipity

black and white
slowly merge into
a hazy shade of grey

idealized vision
of benevolent charity
shamed
by Life's unfiltered
reflection

ego begets ego

no belief or faith

just gratitude
and humility

honoring the gift
of self-expression
as path

allowing Truth
to finally transcend
my selfish
egocentric narrative

perhaps
it does actually matter

maybe i can
make a difference
to someone
somewhere
somehow

no illusions of grandeur

just a lingering sense
of responsibility
and intense need

to recount pain
as it happens

Surrender

Biting wind blows
ever colder

The flame of love
burns itself out

Broken promises
and expectation
poison the heart

A karmic war of attrition
fought on ashen moors
littered with casualties
of akashic memory
and innocence lost

I cannot see beyond
these siege fires
of hate and judgment

Choking
on shattered dreams
and gluttonous pride,
I am weary of this battle

When will it end?

Cold light of day -
white flag of surrender

But who has truly won?

I cannot say.