STEPHEN HERO SPOKE TO ME
HE SAID, "WE'RE A LOT ALIKE, YOU AND I
BURNT AND TATTERED... NEVER HAVING
COME TO FRUITION
ALL WE HAD, NOT GOOD ENOUGH
TO BE THE NEXT GUY

AND I REPLIED

WHY WILL WE NEVER LEAVE?
WHY WILL WE NEVER WALK AWAY
TO BECOME A NEW PERSON; THE ONE
WE DREAM OF BECOMING?

IS IT THE PRICE OF THE TICKET?
IS IT THE UNCERTAINTY
THAT WE WILL NEVER BE
THAT PERSON?

IS IT THAT THERE ARE SO MANY OF US
LINED ALONG THE SHORE
POISED TO TAKE A STEP?

OR ARE WE, INDEED, ALONE

HE TOOK HIS FINGERS OUT OF HIS MOUTH
AND SAID, "I THINK YOU THINK
TOO MUCH ABOUT IT."