Try a little tenderness (Prayer from a Nihilist)

 
there's always
that constant internal
struggle
to keep the tenderness
alive
when you listen
to the early
morning news report
over a bowl
of cornflakes
&
that first cup
of hot coffee

rapes
murders
crazy religious
mother-fuckers
&
racist fools
selling hatred
&
war

all in the name
of perfection

tender
is the tenderness
that rests
within the soul
...so fragile
is the heart
when so often
left alone

now I pour
another cup
while contemplating
jerking-off
to images
of a better
world

a loving world

but my hand
is limp
the coffee's cold
&
it's all just
broken hopes
wrapped in dead
dreams
&
holy promises
from
times gone by