And where the narrative deviates from the world,
we almost always stay with the narrative.
To how much credit are you entitled
when you only think what everyone else thinks,
when you only do what everyone else does?
Let me know when you are ready to pause the recitation.

What I am is the desire to be what I am next.
Give me the next tool so I can do the next thing.
When was the last time you met someone amiable?
Is family just shared branding?
All my lovers have been lepers:
this is the extent of my generosity, of my need.

To be ready to die
is to refuse to be ready to die.