Immolation

We live to gratify ourselves,
charming the hollow walls of conceitedness,
our crest of vanity
shields every insecurity we mask in
this constant charade;
a flitter of flesh and a grab bag of bones
all that we are, and all we'll ever be, 
this longevity of loneliness 
concludes us all, whatever
revolt or self-lamenting destroyer
we are lodging within ourselves
we must surrender them all for 
merciful endurance and solitude, 
only then the valorous of all great 
deeds shall be one oblation to this
giver of all infinite and majestic 
wisdom, our minds. 

- John Hardesty