It is my love for humanity,
that mourns the loss of its greatness,
in seeing it succumb
to the will of the wicked and the dumb.

So, now I have come
to disdain the vain claims
that cause men to maim
the innocent,

now I pay my penance
cause even though
I am not a participant
I am still complicit
because I have chosen to
abstain from doing
what great writers
should do.

Instead of fighting
I retreat in defeat
lay down on the ground
to feel life's heat
slowly ease from these
fingers that once teased
great poetry.

Now, I seek solitary inspections
of abstract reflections
waiting to die
knowing humanity
will follow me
swiftly.