Empathy as an Art Form or Make It Count, Motherfucker

as if the plucking of strings
or pressing down on the keys
or beating down on it
would ever change anything

as if reciting old prose
letting myself go
or pretending to kill my ego
would ever stop this from happening

but

money
hardwork
determination
fortitude
ass-kissing
phony handshakes
and
winks
and
stares of sincerity
and
emphatic laughter
and
believing
that the hereafter
is better than all of this

will make you feel safe
at last
before they put flowers
on your grave
and just like them
you whither away