A New Shadow

By Cliff Lake

 A New Shadow

 

What darkness this now?

A shade written by betrayers,

Beholden to nothing save avarice,

Bought with sly promise,

Or poisons not yet served,

But waiting still,

Withheld only by words spoken,

From both sides of the mouth.

Crowding at the helm,

Each would have their matters met,

Overspeaking those of lesser cruelties,

Or whom have yet to find a master,

Or have crimes not so carefully hidden,

But as yet undiscovered in full.

Here they bite and scratch,

Seeking footage in high places,

Glory borrowed to be wielded incautiously,

Loudly proclaimed in tarnished decree,

Chores doled out for obscure gain,

A sleight played out in public view.

Petty grievance will be parceled here,

Enemies imagined at will,

Punished with slights and snubs,

Or harassed by accusation of crimes,

For which there are no laws.

They will not trust each other,

They will not trust anyone outside,

They will not work toward anything productive,

They have no sight of yield,

Unless it is of insult or injury,

For that is where their satisfactions lie.

Their entire effort is to ensure misery,

Borne by those that gave them the reins,

Who do not wish a release from woe,

If it means others are released as well.

All is spite.

All is resentment.

All is ill will,

And now it’s fruition is for all,

Though most never chose it.

We will bear this.

We will bear this because we must.

We will bear this because we can overcome it.

In time we can overcome it.

But right now…

We must bear down.

 

Cliff Lake 1/7/2023

Copyright © Clifford Lake 2023

Location: Washington, DC, USA

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