When attributes like courtesy seem insincere, what ails me? The litany of my words drowns out all others. My words are for me, not necessarily the reader. This voyage I was on by myself. Who invited the entourage? Affection and love have no existence here, He says. This is the arena of insight, not imitation, He declares. The truly righteous know that sincerity is the king of courtesy. O Hashem, stop my words, stop my attributes, for evil awoke me four hours ago on this mat, and I know that that soul awaits truth. I have 1st world problems in a city of Ahriman. Will I be despondent enough to know their pain? Or will their plight spark my vanity again? Sometimes silence exalts the downtrodden in the head of those who have had it easy. If your heart be so far away, how can I come to thee through small talk? There must be something true to you that would ignite the fire of Hashem.