welcome to bloodless arena
we daily meet upon
old, clawless, toothless beasts came to
secretly collide once more
who inflicts more unseen cuts today
who weaves a thicker slanders’ web?

are we sadists or masochists, or both?
‘coss sharp blades always cut us both ways
the envy feeds on this inner defeat
when brother’s fall pleases more than own success

brothers in blood, foes in our heads
rivalry obscures every sense
the silent wars we carry on
with mighty weapons - venomous tongues
wild animosity hidden well
once seethes it must be finally shed
just one excuse to go
immediately can be found

don’t interrupt foes when they are making mistake

false charges hit on every hand
feverish fools juggle with blame
every gesture is fake,
each cry for help brings the utter disgrace
can't tell jibe from facts
struggling to maintain balance
over holes we dug for ourselves
chased by absurd fear of losing face

no holds barred! all it takes to be the first
no holds barred! all to be upper hand
no holds barred! all it takes just to detract
no holds barred! who said podiums hold just one?

angst, frustration, desperation
unfulfilled ambitions’ reek
it all slowly brews, fermenting
poisoning whole air we breath
fools try to outsmart the others
how deranged have we all turned
and how far could we deviate now

what has become of home we shared
seems somehow we’ve managed to forget it
what we’re running for
and running where
we forgot what was prize in this morbid race

once we aspired high
so much more than that
why could not we find new paths
instead of following worn trails?

is this what we want? Or it's just a childish play
have we thought what comes when line is crossed?
who'd we become when it cannot be undone
would qualms come?
would we have time to make it up?