The Hollow Man

A man does not collapse at once. He rarely falls with some great sound. He slowly trades away his soul Until there’s nothing solid found. He still wakes up. Still scrolls his phone. Still laughs and moves throughout the day. But something vital has gone dark, And piece by piece, it fades away. He traded purpose for a thrill. Discipline for dopamine. The things that once made men stand tall Were sold for comfort in between. He chased distraction, not direction. Pleasure, not a higher call. And now he wonders why he feels Like he’s become so weak and small. You cannot feed your mind on junk And build a life that’s strong and true. You cannot serve your every urge And still become the man you’re meant to. You cannot kneel before your flesh And stand with honor when it counts. For every shortcut that you take Withdraws from strength’s account. Comfort is a quiet thief. It rarely comes with noise or force. It simply asks for less each day Until you’ve drifted off your course. And men mistake that ease for peace, Not seeing what it slowly costs. Until one day they look around And realize how much they’ve lost. Because purpose asks for sacrifice. And discipline demands its due. But both are forging something strong, Inside the man they’re shaping through. So guard your focus. Guard your mind. Don’t waste your life on fleeting highs. The strongest men are not the ones Who never fall for tempting lies… They’re those who catch themselves early, And choose the harder path along. For strength cannot survive on comfort, And purpose cannot live where discipline is gone. So do not trade your future self, For pleasures that are here today. Because a man who serves distraction, Will slowly fade himself away. -AIG