Abortion

( Reflections On An Early Career Change)

I aborted my mind

and it hurt.

You people who know success,

you bore.

I wouldn’t bear,

neither up nor down,

but quit.

It was part of me

that was nearly formed,

nearly loved.

It was somewhat large.

But I,

I got the thing out,

Slimy, consuming,

a mistake best left

by the side of the road,

A gravel road

in summer,

country.