Layers - Poem by Michael Heraly

Layer upon layer
Of crusted paint, blood
And chocolate, peeled back
The inner gold is stained
Tainted without polish
Or attention for generations

Layers of sweat and tears
Labor put forth for futility
Useless work of the mind
Disconnected, unteathered, floating
Above and beyond reason
All for the fun of the flight

Layers of freedom turned guilt
Peeled back, broken apart
From it's pieces, cannot support itself
No self-acknowledgement, stubborn
To stack layer upon layer
Only covering, only hiding

Layers of a wall, concrete
Slabs with padlocks of silk
Strong but weak, but difficult
But easy, but painful, but impossible
But necessary, paradox upon paradox
Layers upon layers