You are not merely who you are,
But a product of my perception -
My opinion of the "you" I see...
Through your countless veils of deception;
The concept of what is 'really' "real"
Is skewed and obscure.
And the plastic smiles that go around
Celebrate how much we endure.
Clouds of diplomacy hover between us,
As we engage in conversation.
Our thoughts and feelings trapped behind
'Masks' of our own creation!
Beneath the wafer-thin 'warm' exterior,
Are strong currents of ambition...
That drive us to where we will be from
With near-zero inhibition.
A Conscience is part of a dying species;
This is clearly the final stand.
With Ethics sentenced to the gallows,
There's now more cash-in-hand!
Almost with ease and a cheery disposition,
You stab your closest rival...
And plot the next few moves you'll make
On this chess-board called 'Survival'.