Dw8236

D for degraded, swept along
the carpet of nameless faces,
stripped to the soul, and beyond,
if they could, they try anyway everyday.
Ignoring questions if their mood's not right,
looking past the eyes as if you didn't exist,
but we do, they know that,
we're their porridge, we eat ours,
they bathe in theirs, soaking up
the power games, secret smiles.

W for wishing it had all happened differently,
the road that led to dehumanised.
The thoughts of 'if' and 'but'
that alter the past a thousand times
until you realise that this isn't a dream,
but reality's nightmare, sugar-coated
with goals and get in line.

8 for the time to suffer their breakfast,
enough to make you hungry, that's all,
a choice of cheap one thing or another,
but at least it's a choice in this place
where everything's on paper, but
reality has different ideas to that!

2 for two-timed by life
as your back was turned,
she kicked you while sleep took you
in a drunken haze
and then she slapped you with time;
to think, to get your act together,
to prepare you for failure
in a snake-pit of torment.

3 for that freedom cry that echoes
through dreams in restless nights
and then you're awake to the routine again,
for the breakdown of time into segments
of morning, afternoon and night,
no continuous stroll that used to keep your pace.

6 for the six times a day they open you up,
if you're lucky enough to get exercise!
The breakfast cut, the education tuck,
the dinner fold, the tea-time slice,
the last cup of tea and then,
you're stitched up until the next day
decides to operate again in earnest.