Humanity

What an enigmatic lot are we
Beyond ourselves we cannot see
We act as if we do not care
Of others we are barely aware
Loneliness, this existence we devised
Estrangement, it's reward, despised
If only all the good we've done
Were equally remembered by everyone
Only in the death of someone great
Do we finally come to appreciate
Their talents and great contributions
But too late then for retributions
Our best side we want others to see
But that rule only applies to me
To others we don't extend that benefit
As on our throne of judgement we sit
The standard which to others we apply
Is often one that our own lives belie
Expectations on others highly placed
Would we attain if to us they faced?
For duplicity, it seems to me
Is a defining trait of humanity
But woe, when in the mirror I see
A member of humanity staring back at me