PIECES OF SILVER

thirty pieces of silver for a pot of gold
that is a fair exchange, so i was told

those who have values are now worthless
those who have morals are now immoral
those who are upright are now downright dirty
those who are honest are now dishonest
those who are loyal have now betrayed everyone

once they fought on the same side
now they have drawn their swords
once they were brothers-in-arms
now they are stabbing each other

dignity
  loyalty
    allegiance
      ideals
        honesty
          values
            morals
these are mere words
which are now meaningless

there is emptiness echoing in this place
and in the hearts of the pathetic people
as the herd moves aimlessly with no direction
with no hope, no aspiration, no vision
for their wira have sold their souls
for pieces of silver and a pot of gold

shall we give up...and give in?
or shall we keep on striving
to dream
       hope
          pray
for the blinding white light
at the end of the traumatic tunnel
for the noble sage of these tainted days
to restore honour, ideals and trust in us

LAM SENG FATT
Aug 5 2020