Feint Praise

I heap on feint praise
That’s never getting stronger
No matter how much shit I throw
For it is flawed and dangerous
Hollow ringing in my ears
And the bitter aftertaste, like rust
I make the nice, and sidestep
Anything to dance around a fight
I need to say it aloud
That life is short
And days filled
With rictus smiles
Are wasted, and bring
Dishonour on this house
You must never squeeze
The teabag
Leave it alone
What did it ever do to you?
Trying to be al things to all men
You end up being none
So no more hand wringing
No more anything for an easy life
Call it when I see wrong
So when I am done and wheezing
On my last bed
I won’t wish I’d done
Something else instead