Reliance

By Andrew R. Duckworth

I once relied on everything,
Everyone- irresponsible,
Touting myself as an individual
While joining the circus
Of the collective.
A ringmaster introduces the act,
A trapeze artist displays
Amazing acts, a lion tamer does
The impossible…
It’s all still the circus
Calling for the same thing-
Your attention.
And the circus was demanding
Attention without the spectacle,
Without the product,
So I left the circus,
Realizing I had little
To offer anyway.
That isn’t anyone’s fault
But my own. I won’t demand your
Attention without something
I can share.
It was only when I left
The circus that I found something
I can call my own, something I can
Share and let be, no attention
Required- no reliance on everyone.