Serious Life

Life, you’ve noticed, is serious.
In all seriousness, it kicks

your butt, then, in all seriousness

laughs about it. Life is serious.
Life has at least two suits
and a hundred pairs of shoes.

Life spends its waking hours
worried; vigilant; staring.
Life won’t take “no” as answer.

Life takes no prisoners. Except
when it does. Life is a bargain.
Faustian. Life is a dilemma,

and you betray yourself. Life
has tools–hammer, machete,
ax. Life, you’ve seen, is serious.

It’s out to beat you until you
know there’s no you to beat.