STOIC EVOLUTION

this one is about relationships, across all levels of connections in the world. it's about changing the world by exacting control of myself and the community which i share, not trying to live anyone else's life but my own. accepting what is tangible and evident, and going from there. it speaks to understanding how connected and inter-dependent life as a whole is, but with a firm grasp on awareness of both responsibility for and authority of the actions i take and the contribution i make, even if and when mistakes are inevitably made.

thanks for reading, and enjoy -jason

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a verbal exchange

with deaf ears and one mouth

dishonor speaks twice the amount that it hears

about my neo-stoic evolution into an optimistic nihilist

the opposite of one is zero

my non-toxic destiny manifested

a daemonstration of worth and dignity

the past let go, accounted for

as anything is what it does

whether it is stupid or in love

the future, more hopeful

to know, learn, be, create, live, have, give better

to be noble

to stay in the Now

to keep room for myself

if nobody's pain gives

no authority shall inflict more trauma

it can called be justice, sometimes criminal

but that 'just' isn't always what is fair

not even right

just: a savage, brutal reckoning

a zero-sum win if more have to lose

than what serves a precious few

absolutely civilized in the digital dark-age

how much better would, could, should it be

for the greater good

for community in exchange of competition

so i'm not playing by broken rules

i meet my life

*uniquely percussive*

i encourage the youth to lean into that power

since the future is for the young

Now, and ever before

and there is a difference

between empowerment and control

so i say fuck the government

the partisans do, too

a voting pool faithfully enslaved

weighs down every check and balance

pompous shutdowns and circumstances

voting in-line

reins of power to bind

systemic supply and command

nations of polarized people

falsely prophetic

with no trust of our own to give

divided, conquered, and governed by the shadows

sold as the only thing that can save us now

tribal and trite politicos perform

on the stage set on the Hill

constructs of freedom

built by slaves

the order of a brave new world

it doesn't take courage to live here

to maintain a policy to ignore disaster

to consume to the greatest potential

to have our heads in the iClouds since Y2K

twenty-five years spent accelerating

but we were told to slow down

while we have our homeworld to save

so the progeny may grow and thrive

for the human race to do more than endure

to evolve from the moments

with our humanity intact, unphased

less luxury; but no suffering or sacrifice

our needs are met by automated production lines

we have sound enough bodies and minds

trigger-warning: i love me even if you don't

and being friendly is not a prerequisite of kindness

the entire world can cast doubt on me

but i won't self-denied

and it leaves me to wonder who lives their life

applying such pressure

heavy on my gas-leg in rush-made time

grasping at what's non-transferable from me to you

because i am strong enough alone

resilient and stubborn

a hedonist

the main-character-lifestyle

hands as clean as they can be, and dry

nobody else can give

water to drink from within

or what i can't find in my own heart

and, that you are human, too, is likely