Edge of Chaos

We build ourselves with the success of the knowledge we gain,
Our survival is overly dependent on our resumes,
And our pedigree decides our influence on the law.
With great effort, we rise and climb the ladder,
We force ourselves to push the limit further every day,
The children watch from sidelines barely drawn in the dirt.
They learn from us.
The endless ladder, top-heavy with bureaucrats and the wealthy,
Whose mommies and daddies carved their names in the top-most rung.
Clawing and biting each other on the way up, the children observe,
A well placed foot, on someone's face, ensures our ascent.
We manage to gain a few rungs, compete or die miserable,
Day and Night we struggle against the flow of sharks and bulls.
There is no room for loved ones or friendship, you must be above them.
Then finally, when you reach the restless top,
a lonely song is all you can have as company.
You cannot look down; you'll fall immediately,
You have nothing more to gain, you're on top,
So carve your name on the rung and jump...while the children watch.