One of the most pernicious parts of life
Is the tendency of other humans
To derive shameful joy from pain and strife
And laugh as others wear down to ruins
This response might strike one as peculiar
Save for the fact that at bottom, we’re beasts
Such that the rules with which we are familiar
Imply that when one starves, another feasts
Indeed, if ruthless competition reigns
Then when another loses, I might gain
But this sordid calculation mars brains
It reads life as a tale ugly and vain
If I and thou are interchangeable
Crude harm joy must be reprehensible
About the Creator
D. J. Reddall
I write because my time is limited and my imagination is not.
Enjoyed the story? Support the Creator.
Subscribe for free to receive all their stories in your feed. You could also pledge your support or give them a one-off tip, letting them know you appreciate their work.
Keep reading
More stories from D. J. Reddall and writers in Poets and other communities.
Comments (7)
I don't understand people who can get joy from others' misfortune. Like if it's on TV, yes I'd laugh because I know it's not real, but I'm not able to do so in real life. Loved your poem!
Like Rachel’s husband, I tend to laugh at someone stubbing their toe, and also, like Rachel, I feel empathy towards those who are hurt. So, this business of Schadenfreude is foreign to me. I can’t rejoice over someone else’s suffering. Another well-written piece D.J.!
I like this. And I feel as though I've received a doctorate from this school. 🤔
I was talking about this today actually, that sense that while we tend to want others to be ok, must of us want to be a little bit okayer, like others are a bugger between us and disaster, and where that comes from. This was both funny and insightful.
Crude harm joy. Great phrase. I feel sympathy for others; my husband thinks other people's misfortune especially if they fall over is hysterical.
Love the imagery in this piece!
good....