Suffering

A philosophical piece about human suffering and self-indulgence.

There is only so much you can do
When everything you've worked for
Splinters beneath the weight
Of everything else
That makes you human.
Desire.
Pain.
Selfishness.
Sorrow.
Anger.
It renders you helpless.
Deaf.
Mute.
Blind.
Unable to function.
In the end, you suffer.
But why?

There is only so much you can say
When everything you speak for--
Everything you believe--
Is tried by the trait of loyalty.
Where do you stand?
Honesty.
Trust.
Devotion.
Harmony.
Fragility.
You become speechless for
Compromise.
Caution.
Potential.
Unable to voice yourself.
In the end, you suffer.
But why?

There is only so much you can smile for
When the lake of sweat and blood
Absorbs your sunlight
And returns to you
Nothing but shadow.
Emptiness.
Loneliness.
Confusion.
Hatred.
Apathy.
You become what you create.
Discord.
Anxiety.
Frustration.
Unable to see past the darkness.
In the end, you suffer.
But why?

There is only so much you can be
When the curtain of failure
Has closed around you.
What is there
To pretend to be?
Smooth.
Quiet.
Still.
Uneffected.
Poised.
Prepared for the veil to rise.
Ready.
Enthusiastic.
Waiting.
Unable to be yourself.
In the end, you suffer.
But why?

There is only so much you can live for
When your only previous purpose
Has been wiped from your reach,
From your very understanding.
And then what are you worth?
Money.
Laughter.
Sex.
Comfort.
Company.
Reduced to the very human core of
Greed.
Lust.
Envy.
Unable to find peace.
In the end, you always suffer.