subtext

Like a caterpillar on a leaf,

fear gnaws along the edge

of his shoulder blade

stripping muscle from bone.

Too much exposition’s required

to square the round moment

to his expectation’s shortfall.

The lassitude’s pervasive;

his will’s been siphoned,

until even submission’s

not enough to extirpate

his life from his derision.

Better to laugh than not,

to change shape than not.