if on your knees

you find yourself

bowing head, hands behind

your back, begging mercy

from the boots that march

trampling those left standing

who dare to not crumble

under the illusion of

their authority, remember

it is your obedience

that gives them the key

to the ivory tower

your bloody knees mean

nothing to them, it is

never enough, submission

breeds only the need

for more compliance

and you will live out

the rest of your days

groveling in the rubble

until they decide it’s

time to bury you

along with the rest