so-called ALTRUISM

there ought to be a promise of something good,
something that'll make up for all the loss.
a guarantee that we're not JUST sacrifising
withering away into nothingness
quietly wishing that perhaps: someone noticed.
even something as small as a night of singing,
a cup of icecream, a dream of flying.
we'd like to convince ourselves that rewards are unnecessary,
even hypocratic
but the need to be acknowledged--difficult to suppress;
more so if you care.

music: "Fake Plastic Trees" --Radiohead