Avatars of Contempt, pt. III

Remnants of sybaritic desolation
surrounding the last witnesses
of humanity's self-immolation
as it lies in its lurid repose

pallid and gaunt, they sift through the ashes
vainly seeking some fragment of guidance
instincts have failed to sustain
they wander with no providence of meaning

Frail, derelict figures, knives long discarded
dead eyes beyond hope, dead mouths beyond prayer
one by one casting down
the crown of life that burdens them

their paths diverge in all directions
yet they tread inexorably
to a desolate, nameless
eternal communal grave

No conflict, no heroes
No lessons learned from times of trial
No cruel fate to betray them
No truth behind the hangman's smile
This silence is their just reward

No sins, no virtues
No breath of life to sour the air
No genesis or revelation
No epitaph to mark their graves
This is the way their story ends