Occupation

Someone 

has to be the one 

to fire the first arrow to 

choose what we will target

someone has to leap to 

launch themselves forward 

that the others may 

follow

I do not hesitate

I look and then I go 

it is built in 

it is no gift 

it is no manner of courage 

life has taught me to 

think first 

to measure the gap 

to spring 

wisely

our time is limited

there is nothing to be gained

by waiting 

sometimes I am standing 

in the spate 

and there is so much water

that choices pass by 

too quickly for me to 

direct their course

sometimes you bring to me

the piles of snakes the 

in-box seething with 

fanged heads and I wonder

what I am doing

what I am building 

is a box of choices

that anyone can use 

to reach the same ends 

and then 

I will have eliminated 

the need

for myself.