carbonation

I poured myself a glass of pop
and watched the bubbles
fight with each other
for a position at the top
as though reaching it
would make life better
and so they struggle
racing up the glass
not knowing what awaits
but sensing it will be better
than where they came from
on the bottom
exhausting all their resources
determination driving them
to beat the others to the surface

and the champions who finished first
smack the air and disappear
and those coming in their trail
clearly saw what happened
but continue upward as though blind
perhaps thinking that somehow
their fate will be different
one, after the other
propelling upward in a fever
looking for a better place
and realize far too late
that it was merely the longing
for the top that was beautiful

parched and wanting relief
I closed the curtain on the show
and gulped down the entire drink
thinking the bubbles were as fickle
as people tend to be
wanting to obtain something so badly
but when they have it; disappear...
millions of bubbles waging wars
to dominate the surface of the glass
and I decided to be a person
who digs a little deeper downward
to find enjoyment in what I have
in my position in this moment