Stand Proudly

The issue of trust is a seed planted best in a dark room
A backdoor bargain that only you can reach when no one is around
Because if your trust depends on the inclusion of another
It is disingenuous by its very existence

We cannot rightfully say that we trust if trust is not absolute
And although we are to question every aspect of why we exist
And why we trust for the sake of trusting
We cannot catch ourselves trusting the foundation of the people themselves

I question you, all of you
And the very inclusion of the world "good" hidden within your biographies and obituaries
I believe that none of you are good, are noble
Only adequately presentable at times when it is convenient

Men, women, and children
All are evil to the right of their own consciences
And instead of owning to who they must be
They instead find themselves denying the existence of a greater good that can exist

For cooperation only comes with the sacrifice of being
And for a human to sacrifice something, anything seems far off and distant
That we cannot be who we were expected for it requires too much work
Work that most of us plan not to do

And even those who give us the sacrifice
Who accept the rules and bend them for their goals
Do so under a pretense that they rise above those who do not

Do you not falter?
Do you not find yourself inadequate under the grace of those who are more optimistic?

Or are you so barren of self-reflection that you cannot understand or find within you the gall to separate from your own petty pride of indulgence?

But we are sure to be discreet of our own pride
Even burying it beneath the guise of good works

So heed the message laid before you
If you find that you are contrary to the beliefs of a simple introspection
To the claims made here and everywhere
Then stand
Stand not above your peers but between them
And help them to stand as tall as you

Challenge your words
And challenge theirs
And do so not under the guise of a God or a reward
But under the truth of what is
And what should be

You need only stand
And do so proudly
And then I may find that my trust is shaken
And that we can make our deal in the back of the bar
With money changing between our hands

Copyright 2011 Joseph Burge