To those who seek acquaintance,
  I can’t and won’t befriend
  
No time that isn’t mortgaged,
  no hearts will I defend

Each day begins and ends
  with gifted words upon the page

My blood lay rediscovered,
  new memories to age

My spirit lost within the Muse,
  my shadow running free

Her fond acceptance zero-sum,
  her voice my destiny

To those who say they know me,
  my verse they must have read

That person lost before the scribe,
  much better left for dead

And in the moment present,
  where all things take their place

I give myself back to a choice
  —no friendship can replace

(Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2019)