When I complain how he abuses his privilege, he tells me we don't have time for my prevarication.
You delay the inevitable, he says, by playing nice.
and I realize, he's right. There's no time. There's no time.
But you have no right, I tell him, even if you're right, to break me down
and magnify my fear to force the issue
His not-amused amusement wins me over to his side.
What is a right? he winks, In light of Right?
I do what is required. You could be brave instead.
And again, I can't argue the point, though I want to
and again, he stands beside the point I'm making
the right to choose.
he says,
watch, watch the potentials dwindle every day,
waste them away while you wait to find out you're pursuing what you need
in the wrong direction.
You don't know that, I want to say, but I know
he knows more than me.
Anyway, in the end, I'm powerless against him.
But now I know what his promises are worth.
