The Way of Power

Power does not
validate itself in the world
by the good works it performs
but the moral atrocities it commits

The more pointless
the act of oppression
or violent the deed of bloodshed
the more it serves the purpose

Of keeping men
in “shock and awe”
of the hand that struck the blow
and docile to its bidding

The more it holds them
waiting and expecting and accepting
the next blow more pointless and bloody
than the one before it.

Jon Taylor lives in Nashville, TN. He can be reached at taylor.jon440@gmail.com. Read other articles by Jon.