Loopholes

Relentlessly searching for loopholes of life,
A heartfelt plea to avoid further strife,
Where someone's sad loss is our happy gain,
But my soul's still screaming in terrible pain.

Bargaining and begging for a get-out clause,
Retracing steps and clutching at straws,
Pleading for all that is good and is right,
That something can save us - that we'll win this fight.

Denial no longer an option to choose,
And all wishful thinking we must disabuse,
These stark realities are loaded and locked,
The barrel is staring - the trigger is cocked.

A knife edge of life that can cut either way,
Roll out the clichés and bring them to play,
Whatever it takes for my soul to keep you,
My whole world, my whole life ... my catch 22.