The Once and Future Jerk · 9:28pm Jul 18th, 2020
Commandments have come and commandments have gone,
Engraved upon stone or dissolved in the mist.
Regardless the language in which they've been drawn,
"Thou shan't be a jerk" is the top of the list.
Ascribed to a god or with secular twist,
The order extends as a cultural norm
Despite what the numberless ages insist:
It proves an impossible deed to perform.
Evolving a path through our brains since the dawn
Of history's pageant, the general gist
Appears with the elegance found in a swan:
"Thou shan't be a jerk" is the top of the list.
Ignored in a universe raised on the fist,
The precept has withered, attacked by the swarm
That fears it as weakness, that's wheedled and hissed,
"It proves an impossible deed to perform!"
Unkillable, active, yet ghostly and wan,
It lurks in the background, eternally grist.
The compost to grow our emotional lawn?
"Thou shan't be a jerk" is the top of the list.
Until we decide that we've somehow been dissed,
Exploding in rage that can dwarf any storm.
Forgiveness is easy—except, when we're pissed,
It proves an impossible deed to perform.
Ideals disposed with a flick the wrist?
"Thou shan't be a jerk" is the top of the list.
From cradle to mansion, apartment, or dorm,
It proves an impossible deed to perform.
Perfection's impossible. That doesn't mean it isn't worth striving for.
Yep, yep, politely and quietly queue up for the boxcars taking you to Auschwitz. No cutting in line.
Fimfiction is missing a clapping emoticon, I notice.
Alas the commandment was meant to be ascribed to others.
Or the appendix of matters.
Or errata'd in, perhaps.
Maybe have the deific subcontractor look at it?
Eh, it will get there next new war, this ones got drama.
Oh, why is it on the napkin now?
Tuesday i'll do it. Tuesday's good yes?
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Impossible things:
Are the only things worth trying.
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That old canard:
About how they got the trains to run on time always sends a chill up my spine...
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Mike