You ordered and demanded
That all the pieces fit
Planted hatred in the hole
And left the bomb to tick

And now your hearts been compromised
Loud enough for me to hear
It’s more to likely everyone
Is governed by their fear

So let it go
I will hate this life you run
Away with selfish reasons
The fire eats the memories
While you blame the past’s undone

You snuck up the wrong chain
So maybe it’s not so clear
Once you've fallen to your knees
I'll figure the end is near

And maybe you’ve got some nerve
To stand up on your own
But that all means nothing
If you fall off of your throne

 

And maybe it’s not too late
If you glue down your chair
Just remember that
The game of life’s unfair

Don’t worry now.

Rights & Access

This poem was submitted for the "Poetry for the Mind's Joy" project and is reproduced here with permission from the author. All rights reserved. Poetry for the Mind's Joy is Poet Laureate Kay Ryan's project that includes a community college poetry contest administered by the Community College Humanities Association and a lively videoconference.
  • Nikki Christiansen

    Cañada College, Redwood City, CA

    Faculty Advisor: Susan Gangel, Associate Professor of English and Creative Writing