Or so is my aim;

For to hold and hold

Such anger—

It strengthens my grip,

It strengthens my name.

But it weakens this present,

And the done deed’s the same.

So I hold no prisoners;

But it does not mean

On the ground that I lay.

An enemy is prison is illusion, illusion,

Confusion, delusion,

Ghosts walking around shackled

Until at last they have died,

But death shall never fall upon them:

They are ghosts in my mind.

Why hold prisoners, then?

The prison is an overcrowded den

For the past to play pretend.

But I must say–

It does not mean,

On the ground that I lay.


If I weaken this present,

Then I cannot act present;

And the present does present me many things–

One is those who are looking to clip my wings–

Bring stings and dings and looney-toon things–

And I must say, it’s not on the ground that I lay;

I stand up tall and high and look them in the eye.

And fight.

With all my might.

And bring them down.

Not because I wish to bring down anyone;

But because I will not be brought down

By anyone.


You must hold prisoners then;

You must have enemies;

How could you stand up so tall against me–

And still not hate me?

I heard someone say this once to me

In a dream.


Does a scorpion chase after its predator?

Or does it just sting?

Does a falcon torture its prey?

Or does it just kill?

It needs to eat to live;

Do you ever see it cut and stand still?


Defend yourself–

Protect yourself–

But hold no prisoners;

Wish for no enemies;

Say your part and strike if you feel it right;

But do not prolong it;

Do not attach to the moment–

When you protect yourself from the swell of another;

Do take cover.

Do not lay on the ground.


But once it is done;

Do not hold on to that being as evil–

Hold on to nothing;

No one.


For to conquer the self–

You must hold no prisoners

And also stand to protect the self;

Recognize what is dark and cast through your light–

But do not ever claim that that being–

Is truly the night.


And if you are the moon;

There are many moons that will shine just as bright.