Exodus (Poetry)

Everyone is leaving
and I am left behind
waving my ridiculous old hand
always labelled runner-up
I never get to go
those like me are bound to understand

Life is such a shitty deal
it isn’t fair or kind
it doesn’t matter if you’re good or bad
how hard you try means nothing to
the gods upon the stand
the world all runs on favour, fluke or fad

So smile and wave them all goodbye
those trusty friends you thought you had
they’re moving off to pastures far more green
yours is the face superfluous
not needed now nor missed
for their future paints a grander scale of scene

You can’t rely on anyone
to see the process through
friendship’s like the heart — a fickle thing
you’re better self-sufficient
like a hermit in a cave
resigned to watch the migrants taking wing

I am doubtful if these bitter little poems will survive
or find a gap on anyone’s bookshelf
no one would want to read them
full of pity as they are
so best keep such whines and moanings to myself

One or two are simply poison
with their anger spilling hot
while others whimper like a fretful child
but something in the telling helps
relieve the burning hurt
that boils and bubbles — makes the ink run wild

Resentment creeps into each line
or sets the page aflame
screams a chorus like a curse
and sometimes names a name
or keeps a secret
and maybe that’s worse

So personal a diatribe’s
not fit for public taste
it’s not profound or humorous —
all wit has gone to waste
so time to wind this poem down
and seek out brighter things
since there’s no earthly limit on
imagination’s wings