No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Sometimes it’s obvious And sometimes subtle That no matter what good you try to do The universe rewards you with the opposite. It might be as simple as the duality we create By such intentions; A materialist mindset That falls into a Newtonian universe Of every action needing An equal and opposite reaction. Bound by these rules of physics The road to hell Is certainly paved. While beyond these rules The wise and masterful play. The problem is Within the bounds of materialism We are all slaves Ruled by our own fears and hopes Narrowly following our individual paths Heads down Our persistent plodding The very force that turns the grind stone. While beyond these rules - the etiquettes of a guest Needing permission to sit and stay, come and lay down - The host in all His graciousness Allows us the freedom to be enslaved. (8/4/23)