laid low by a man
with a right and a left
laid low by a woman
of mercy bereft

laid low by cowardice
at the point of attack
laid low by the memory
that brought it all back

laid low by the grifters
trading in fear
laid low by the sight
of her child in tears

laid low by the taste
of love turned sour
laid low by the knowledge
that this is the hour

laid low by a song
with no rhyme or reason
laid low by a cold wind
in our last season

laid low by false hope
for freedom's breath
laid low by satori
at the moment of death