Xeno Hemlock

Pity is the man who stands taller by throwing
mud on someone’s face, feels stronger by kicking
sand over someone’s name, gets wiser by poking
fun at someone’s mistake, lives by faking—

Why? Is there an empty river inside
their heart? Does a barren castle reside
in the mind? Is the warmth supplied
to the soul running out? —has died?

Pity is the man.

This was originally published on 2018.