THE VOICES

A letter in a poem to Christopher J. Scarver

Where could there really be fair comparison?

Is it in my choice to refuse to do what they asked?

Prior to my turn when talked to on such a task

I was aimed elsewise, told to disobey by my parents, by those I trusted -

Good Samaritans on the street, concerned mostly 

With telling me, "Yes they're scary, they're threatening, 

But all they do is talk; they can't ever hurt you..."

[NOTE: When reading recently on the topic of Jeffrey Dahmer's killer, I found myself stumped somewhat when I compare what I've heard about his psychic hell, and that intelligence is sketchy, versus what I know of my own. I can only assume at the outset that, as he says, he was indeed left behind in ways I was not. I doubt that the man will ever get parole, but I certainly, one poet to another, applaud his continued efforts and accomplishments, and pray his remaining years are kind, and that they afford some happiness as ought to be there for the taking...]