growing up

You ask me to be great
to be genius
to be a shining beacon
of peace
and hope

and love.

You ask this,
because I am a man,
and that is the best of men.

You tell me of
obligation
and debt --
sing songs
of honor,charity

and responsibility.

"This is," you say,
"what humanity is about."

I agree, of course,
"Of course, of course. But it's also true that freedom with limits is not freedom."

While you nod,
I notice your grandmother dribbling
on her self
and the unpaid bill to the abortion clinic

and realize,
I will never be
half the man you are.