Dead Inside

Image: fkonteks @ Pixabay

There was a man I knew
Who said:
I’m dead inside
They lied to me
About life.
Where is that vital spark
That drives so many on?
They strive to realize
Their passions and their
Purpose.
Whereas I can fashion
Nothing but my misery.
I stare at shadows
On the wall 
Appalled at my lack. 
Like a cat, I follow 
Dappled lights 
Across the floor
But without elation. 
Who then am I 
But a shell?
Who can tell if I am
Even living?

I say:
Most people are this way. 
They fill up the empty
Corners of their lives
With lies they tell themselves.
They rut and strut
As if everything’s alright. 
A holiday a year. 
A few beers
An affair here and there. 
The stuttering glare
Of the TV on their faces. 
They say they care
But they don’t. 
They just put themselves 
Through their paces.
Every day, the same. 
Death gaining on 
Them an inch at a time.
Existence a murderous
Crime on all of us. 
Why then do you believe
You should be feted?
What makes you
So special? 
Life's a slog. 
You’re a dog
On a taut leash 
Slathering
Barking
Impotent
Starving. 
You’re not a fallen angel
In disguise,
Your light suppressed
But ready to rise,
If only you knew the
Trick to it all. 
No. 
We’re all just fools. 

So, the man said:
Then what’s the 
Point, if Life’s so cruel?  
Why thrash
And gnash 
Why contend at all? 
Why haul yourself from 
Bed each day?
Why pray, and clean,
And work and feed? 
Why spread your seed
Only to inflict 
These nightmares
On some other poor
Soul?
What's the goal? 

Well, then that’s 
The challenge, I say. 
To know Life's 
All a struggle,
Yet carry on 
Anyway. 
Face your fears
In face of death.
Do your best
With what you have.
Aspire to inspire
Not fill your time
With emptiness.
Cheating death's not
An option.
Happiness is fleeting.
And more grinding
Fearful times there'll be
Ahead.
But instead of chasing
The veneer of what
Others seem to have.
Build your own
Kingdom.
Covet true friends.
Family if they care.
Dare to be you
For all your time on earth 
Even as you stare 
Into the Void. 
And then, perhaps, 
If only for an instant,
The leash might break. 
And you will run
Free
Into the night. 

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