Ascent

There are those who 

look on our friendship 

with mistrust, not seeing 

the ways in which 

we come to the table as equals

but am I not, in my way

the patriarch of my house?

With others I am still

the one who calls the shots

cuts the paycheck or 

determines the direction

of our unusual parade

but here

I may be one of several

who determine the fate of others

and so the balance of power 

is matched between us.

It is good to have my strength

tempered, to be with some

whose wit leaves me behind

whose gifts leave me behind 

then I can strive to improve 

measuring my ascent 

against your mastery

I do not think

that is a strange kind of love 

I think it is natural.