Self-Control

Much comes out of the body and, by and large,
you’ll be more comfortable if you’re in charge,
deciding what and when the best you can,
and so will others be. There was a man
who never said a thing he didn’t mean.
To him all mindless sounds were obscene,
and empty words especially profane,
signifying a failure in the brain.
He’d never said a word he had to regret.
The fact is, he was less likely to let
a rash or indeliberate word pass
than feel impromptu solid, liquid, or gas
part from his darkness in public. Even sweat.

He was profoundly embarrassed by anything wet
coming unbidden out of the body. Hence,
he saw tears as a form of incontinence.
He nearly forgave the flesh its watery art;
worse were unmeasured words, the brain’s fart.

He was a model of calm and eloquence,
a man of obvious breeding and good sense,
well known far beyond the neighborhood.
His children all left home as soon as they could.

Miller Williams

# 452 / Bjorn Richter