Dire

It’s a dire choice most who make
Don’t know they’ve made or had it
To make—claim you have some choice

And pay for that choice in guilt
And shame, or note that the truth
Is you have no strength to choose

And live with that, and the blame
That comes with it. Make no choice,
You’ll do your best to have both—

Feel like you can choose and did,
So long as things go half well;
Back off and throw up your hands

Each time it all goes to hell.
You try this when you’re still young.
You try it straight through your prime.

You will try this when you’re old.
If you choose to have a choice,
You don’t want to have a choice.