full-time chains
small-time pain
the gateway drug
and tombstone engraving
the helping hand
and the slap on the wrist

once an exit strategy
now a preemptive sentence
immune to the walking dead
and the parasitic souls
that leech on drones
and their children's meals

outsource sympathy
redeem anything labeled ‘pride'
find the cultural suppository
and medicate the enigma
living ordinance cage
and a luxurious steal wage