Muddy Puddle Floor

Assuming depth in the shallows

You find meaning, and it's hallowed

It feeds purpose, it feeds life

It ends danger, entombs strife

But I have seen the muddy puddle floor

And there is naught, my friend, there is not more

Not for lack of trying, wishing, crying

I went scuba diving until I died

Even as I came up wet ashore, I went back and back and back for more

I went looking near the sandy bottom

I went looking using all they taught him

But I only ever found empty words

Recursive explanations, shame and woe

I found never worth that was worth keeping

I found a drowning people perpetually sleeping

Nay to caring, nay to sharing, nay to any kind of god-damned swearing

Any hope for the marginalized

Dies with a fell swoop, as they look upon thine eyes

So swim out into the real deeps

Let it take your soul, let it make you weep

For there is strength in human empathy

There is strength in caring for more than thee

There is hope to be found, where we are bound

Not by force, nor chimera, not those lofty hopes from a bygone era

But by the ever-present fear in your mind; all are we going to death, blind.