Response to Fleur Adcock’s “Things”

FOLLY

Nothing beats standing before yourself,
Take a good look,
And then lie to yourself
It’s the pinnacle of foolishness
Denial is the first stage of defeat.

A mad man sees a pillar,
Walks into once, twice
Bleeds then stands up
And walks back into the pillar
A third and a fourth time.
There’s foolishness
And there’s madness
Both of them have no cure.

Victor Oyedele