The Man in the Striped Suit

The man in the striped suit
used to have two.
But in difficult times,
one must make do.

For most of his life,
he wore one everyday.
And the other he saved,
for when he would pray.

Now, he wears just the one suit
that’s black with white stripes.
Though he could, if he wanted,
he’s not one who gripes.

So cool in winter.
And warm all through summer.
This curious suit
couldn’t feel, or l ook, dumber.

In fact, it makes absolutely
no sense, at all.
Even in light of the darkness,
since sanity’s fall.

One thing is peculiar
about his new suit’s dull hue.
Though it’s black and it’s white,
it is leaving him blue.

But he never sulks
‘bout his new suit’s strange hue.
All of his friends wear striped suits,
just like his, too.

Nor does he fret,
should he look like his neighbor.
They share the same lot.
They do the same labor.

He won’t worry for long
‘bout the cut or the length.
He has much stronger reasons
to save up his strength.

He has still greater worries, lately, in mind.
Exactly the same as the rest of his kind.
Worries, the darkest that you’ll ever find.
Worries to which the world has turned blind.

With just the right hint
of robust persuasion,
striped suits have become required attire
for every occasion.

For skipping breakfast, or lunch,
and for scant dinner, too.
It will fit just as poorly
on the new, thinner you.

For work, or for play(That will be the day.),
Even for lifting dead bodies, to be hauled away.
His striped suit should last till his own dying day,
which won’t be too long, if his hosts have their way.

The man in the striped suit
has no interest in fashion.
It died along with the rest
of his pre-holocaust passions.

He cares not for anything
woven of thread.
What keeps him going are thoughts
of his next daily bread.

Since he’s put on the striped suit,
he’s been filled with strange dread.
But there are much more troubling thoughts
tumbling round in his head.

But a man with no choice
as to what suit to wear
may be forgiven for wondering
if God is still there.

Or, if all the prayers of the dying,
can The Almighty not hear?
And if the answer is yes,
does He even still care?

But what is a man
with just one suit to do?
He can’t help being
one of The Chosen,
born as a Jew.
Yes, he’s one of The Chosen.
Undoubtedly true.
But one of which chosen?
And chosen by who?