masses in the distance
pumping their white smoke into the sky
an offering to whatever gods still exist in the vast infinity of space

what qualifies as success
when we have all exploded from the same piece of dust
and we will all implode into it again
and there will be no
"good job"s
or certificates
or buildings pumping white smoke
or even white smoke?
what will you tell your mother
when you fail?
when you implode?