Life Is Cruel
The adage fits everyone differently.
“Cruel” must first be defined: “brutish, harsh
infliction of pain” on the defenseless,
Like a woman or child of Mariupol
Or Bucha, or an animal, like a pet,
like kicking a dog down the stairs.
But don’t be too enamored of sympathy,
lest you become its object. Better
to give than to receive a jackboot
in the face when your life is on the line.
Unless your life is on the line, Thou shalt not
act cruel remains the operative rule.