Deserving

“I deserve to be happy” they said, jaws set determination eyes glazed Selfish Ones seeing only what they wanted to see tunnel-vision of mind's eye narrowed down to one word “Happy” while others' protests were utterly unheard Thinking they could by sheer determination set themselves free from the rest of society suspending laws of nature like drops of water falling into a lake yet failing to make a ripple on the surface or rings extending outward ...that their actions would cause no reactions outside of themselves But repercussions and consequences shown on faces in painful winces worry-lines and tears from failed investments of time spent, years broken beings bearing witness to quiet devastation their lives crowded out displaced and crushed by the Selfish Ones' overwhelming entitlement their right their claim on the happiness they so “deserved” And now the others also suffer from a sort of tunnel-vision, mind's eye narrowed down to the other word “Deserve” for what could they possibly have done to deserve this? When all they wanted was a little fragment a slight share of happiness in life with someone who cared?