Final Hook (6)

I’ve seen more body bags
than pay raises in this line of work
more zipped-up endings
than mercy from the network

They call it “public service”
like faith alone can feed
but my bank account
and my conscience
bleed the same shade
when they bleed

One day I might hang this badge
on a nail and not look back
drive past the crisis center
and let someone else track the cracks

Till then I keep walking these hallways
with my teeth set tight
trying to keep one soul breathing
in a system that kills by slight