Vernonite (2008)

Olympia! My love
your passion for writing is matched only
by your passion
for passion
for not thinking before you write
for never having to apologize

You demand nothing
but perfection
and are certain you have achieved it

Why else, after all
could your path be the only path?
Surely your students
would be lost in the woods without you
Surely some of them
already are

here's one, in particular
studiously analyzing the path you've shown him
looking before he leaps
wondering aloud whether there might be
another way
stepping as though you might
lead him over a cliff
stepping in the wrong direction
stepping on your toes
stepping backwards
stepping sideways
stepping into the woods
the direction he takes
may not lead him where you go.

And where you go
is where everyone wants to be,
isn't it?

Except
for that voice
angrily dissenting
except
for that voice
firmly refusing to follow

he says he can map a course
through these woods
he says there's another way
through these woods
he's saying he'd rather stay
in these woods
he's saying he rather prefers
these woods
to the path you're beating
to the road less traveled
(which seems to be traveled more and more these days)
to your destination
to any destination
that you can see


She sees you when you're sleeping
she knows when you're awake
and if you write something bad about her
you've made a big mistake.