Eye Level

Eye Level   1/25/2017

You can lose almost everything

And still remain undefeated

And you can suffer a world of shame

And hold your head high. 

Dead level ahead

And more determined than ever

The humble inheriting the treasure

Overflowing forever. 

I also felt the barbs

And I also felt the sting

Deep in the heart

Rejected and alone. 

An indifferent cruelty

That cut me in half

Doubled down

And doubled over. 

Unable to sleep

And unable to forget

The shame of defeat

Ever present

Every hour

And every day. 

Gone in a day

Like I had never lived at all

The stunning indifference

Of shallow fools. 

They traveled the easy path

Took the money and ran

Coasting downward

With a fake smile

All for the money

And all for fun.

Someone had to pay the price

And someone had

To shoulder the debt

Crushing me

And crushing you. 

Many are those

Who skip and whistle

Unaware and dumb

Play acting life

On their way to the end. 

Do not let

The end find you wanting

And do not pretend

That it’s okay

For nothing is hidden

That will not be revealed. 

Don’t wait another minute

For now is the time

To make amends

Coming out of guilt

And foolish regret. 

Get away from

What is evil

And choose to do

What is right

Now and forever

Away from darkness

And into the light.