would we be happy
basking in euphoria
glowing in the dark
doing whatever we please
anytime we wanted to

would it matter then
if we hurt anybody
in search of pleasure
do others even matter
as long as we’re feeling fine

hedonism reigns
and chaos rules unruly
prisoners escape
and cuckoo’s nests are emptied
from inside everyone’s mind

paradise was lost
to the knowledge of evil
the earth was flooded
40 days and 40 nights
for the wickedness of man

someday we may learn
parables, illustrations
written in the sky
literature’s life lessons
embodying art as life

perhaps we’ll all see
other people do matter
interdependence
together we are stronger
happiness lies in restraint


Del Maximo
© September 5, 2009