One Morning…

Andrew R. Duckworth

We were all in a coffee shop,
Sipping on envy and rage.
We ate a healthy helping of hate
Until the plate was clean,
All of it filling our core,
But we wanted more.

By noon, we were ready for greed
And a tall glass of pride,
A bit of intolerance for a side.
We were hungry and we ate
As if we were starving.
We didn’t tip the waiter.

By night, the bars were open.
More rage, more greed,
As if they were a need.
And then, no recognition of good.
We didn’t recognize neighbor,
Only recognized self.

When the beatings started,
There were those who joined,
There were those who fled,
There were those drunk on malice.
And when help arrived,
Everyone pointed at someone else.