Antlers

"Meanwhile, in your despair, you, too, divert yourself with [social media], and discussions [of social justice], though you don't believe your own arguments, and with an aching heart mock at them inwardly.... That question you have not answered, and it is your great grief, for it clamors for an answer.” -Father Zosima TBK 

Dimitri had a sensual drive
he was not in control in the least
his cancerous sexual growth had
him turned into some demonic
     horned beast

Ivan had his brother beat and was
master of his own morality
he became a babbling fool when
exposed as more bestial
     brutality

Alex was better than both
     his passion
was more purely sensual
     his trust embrace
more humble and rational
     compassion
more moral and rational
     matching justice in grace

Poetry Scales (190)