ONE TO ME

The vanished gods to me appear;
And one to me are shame and fame.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson, Brahma

The moment came and went when I could choose
to speak, or not to, then when it had passed
with me still mute, events rushed by so fast
that I was lost. It never was a ruse
designed ahead. I saw that woman’s ring
fall in your bag, though you did not, and nor
did she. I could have saved you then before
the law was called, but didn’t say a thing.

Your sobbing protestations were ignored.
You lost your job (it came to me, old friend).
Then, with your life destroyed, you chose to end
it. So, you died. Now as to my reward…
I have the life I dreamed of, ached to get;
should every joy be blackened by regret?

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