The Loser

By Cliff Lake

 The Loser

 

There he sits in front of the box, hypnotized by a fate he created.

Who has abandoned him? Loyalty was always a one-way street.

One by one they fall; inch by inch closes the inevitable.

“Why me?!?” he wonders, “Losing is for suckers!” he reminds,

Still the box makes noises he does not want to hear.

He cannot look away; the room feels smaller, filling with his odors: feces and sweat.

Some things are familiar…

 

There he sits in front of the box, heated by words that cannot be, yet still are spoken.

Who has he abandoned? They must stand by him still; loyalty is all!

One by one they fail; inch by inch come the lawmakers.

“Who are THEY?!?” he shouts, “I am always the winner!” he details,

Still the box tells secrets no one was meant to hear.

He will not look away; the room is hotter, filling with emotions he does not acknowledge: fear and doubt.

They are getting too familiar…

 

Still, he sits in front of the box, inflamed by truths no one can have, but exposed to all.

Why is he abandoned? He is yet loyal to himself, all others must follow!

One by one they have turned away, inch by inch his influence shrinks.

“I did nothing!!” he shouts, “Don’t they know who I am?!?” suspecting they do too well.

And there is the box showing all what he has ever been.

He will never look away, his brain is boiling, filling with impossible plans he will try anyway.

Losing is so unfamiliar…

 

Cliff Lake 7/12/2022

Copyright © Clifford Lake 2022

Location: 1100 S Ocean Blvd, Palm Beach, FL 33480, USA

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