75/25

“It’s a multiple of a lot of different things.”
Then somewhere down the line, you find yourself saying
“It’s a syndrome.”
You’re giving 75/25. Or 65/35.
Holding back.
Not out of laziness but from some sense
that things are finite and you don’t want to spend it all.
When the phone rings, you answer it on the fourth ring.
Or you go to an adult valentine-making class and you say “nice to meet you.”
But you don’t make valentines for everyone. Just two or three.
Your basketball buddies don’t even bring it up.
The way you’ve stopped saying
“That’s what I’m talking about” with your trademark vigor.
So you head on out to a petting zoo — any petting zoo.
Because animals can’t tell the difference.
Except that maybe you’re easier to sit on nowadays.
That goat is so heavy.
Come on now, you big old goat.
Move.

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