we stack the bricks of desire
polish them with our own sweat
call it ambition, call it life
but beneath the golden crust
chains rattle with restless shame
status sings its siren’s song
draped in silk and diamonds
it binds tighter than iron does
the weight of better than before
crushing the soul to silence
they told you, fear the fall
so you hoard and cling tightly
but what is there to lose
when rags still cover a body
when hunger doesn’t steal breath
this too is freedom in disguise
to let go of a life owed
to stand naked before fear
and ask, is this all it is?