The flywheel wobbles,
the fan belt squeals,
the gaps between parts
gets tighter and tighter.

But, we must maintain
the illusion of efficiency,
as a species, as a man, 
just more grim-faced now

having learned what
we’ve learned, knowing
what we all know to be true,

at what cost this life is, 
our shift coming to an end,
our quota still unmet.