Shoddy Bastards

Salesmen, mechanics, engineers of flesh and mind
Tinkerers of the soul —
Always fixing, always selling

For centuries
Chanting, scheming, pushing
Shoving their holiness, damnation —
Robes and sacred chairs
Down people’s throats

Teachers, masters, gurus, priests
Parents, preachers, coaches and saints
All of them —
Including me

Swallowing the promise
To become better, be fixed
To be improved, awakened, ascended
To bring out the best — in me, in others

Fuck you all
All and everyone who ever intended
Attempted, forced, coerced another
To be different
To be better

Never again will I
Be moved
To alter anyone —
Even an inch