I traveled the same road as you
And found it unpaved.
So I ask of you,
“What is the point of all this?”

And you answer (with your
Smart, all-knowing self-righteousness),
“I have been down
To see the sulky fires, and
I have thrown down all of
My barriers to this
Once predictable, once controllable
Lifetime.

“But it is all the same and
I’ve journeyed to places better.”

“Yet you still remain,” I said,
“In the same rut, the same passionate embrace
As you were in the last time
I dared call up your face.”

“Yes,” you said, “I know.
Nothing much changes here.
We all learn what—and how—to fear.
And I have seen the lot of you
In dances with the devil and
How I laughed at you for choosing such an
Easy way out!
You must learn to grieve and play the game the same way
As the rest of the students under these
Benevolent gods.”