Surprising fulfillment of expectations

Surrounded by walls
that we cannot see
but know are there

Herded to and fro
led by hierarchy
that just is, but isn't fair

Work night and day
to gain a little
but have the rug pulled out
 from under you
to work harder
to make it back almost to where you were
and celebrate the losses as found fortune

Surprising fulfillment of expectations

You only catch a glimpse
every now and then
catch a clue
meant for you
realize the words you heard
could be a mirror
and you second guess
what to do

When you clearly see
the machine that you cannot unsee

you have a clear vision of how to navigate the course

surprising fulfillment of expectations....

Then we are beaten down
by unknown forces
played from every angle
torn and tattered
and realize, to the machine
 no life mattered

The Machine gets its way

a brief moment of happiness
surrounded by blood, sweat, and tears
a laugh, a smile, temporary relief
from struggling with your peers
Many think there is no end
that we just keep doing this
again and again
but if we don't ?

Surprising fulfillment of expectations

Mark Burkenbine,2020