to eat, they say
to drink, they say
to relish one’s labor
is the only source of joy

meaningless is the rest,
so the teacher says

from experience i would agree
but where does this leave me?

to eat is to die, i say
flesh is a burden
to drink is foolish, i say
rigidity is a comfort
work is futile for mortals

meaningless is still the rest
so where does my frantic soul find its joy?

i guess this is my peroration;
i will die in stubbornness
or learn to quite my says

to know i am the least bit special
is actually the greatest news i’ve heard
in nearly 8,000 days