I don’t seek
an exception
Not when others
far more deserving than me
especially those
for whom I would have yearned it
immeasurably more
than for me
have been denied
an exception
It may be that
like gasping for breath
grasping an exception
would be beyond me to resist
But I refute it thus:
there are things neither fortune
nor providence
can ever mend
Begone with your exceptions
Bargain with more superstitious
superficial souls
who still imagine
fate’s focus
is them
I know now that
it’s not about me
and that’s as it should be