Geronimo - May 7 2025

 

Geronimo

May 7 2025

I’m supposed to say yes.

To run toward the danger

sit down with the fear.

But didn’t I steel myself

to take the mouse from the trap?

Climb the tower,

then close my eyes and pinch my nose

and Geronimo down?

Come on to the pretty girl

everyone knew

was out of my league,

just because

you can't be sure?

I’m better with no.

Or a half-hearted maybe

I don’t believe myself.

In the fullness of time

I’ve often thought,

as if at the end

when there’s no time left

I’ll somehow squeeze it in.

But what’s wrong with comfort zones?

Isn’t that what I’ve spent a lifetime at;

getting comfortable with myself

finding my place in the world?

Why break things

then walk on broken glass,

or expose myself, just because I was asked;

buck naked

when the world's fully clothed?

I think of all those yes-men

who out of either cowardice

inertia

or ambition

enabled the worst.

And then the honourable ones

who refused to be complicit,

standing their ground

with an unambiguous no.

I was reckless in my youth,

an adolescent yes-man.

But back then, I was full of testosterone,

felt I’d live forever,

have at least a second chance.

Now, as I’ve aged

my youthful indiscretions

seem more foolishly naive

and less a life fully lived.

And now, knowing better

as well as more aware

of all the danger that threatens this world

I see no need

to seek it out.