the hubris to know
you are right
when failure is everyone
around you, incompetence
weakness and stupidity
   not your own
   rising only
blamelessly carrying on
perfect in the garbage
we sift to find gems
to spend on the greatest
   sales pitch
the world has ever seen

and as you walk away
when the deal is done
   and smile still
knowing it was never
(anything)
about being right
but the long con
   spoils
   and spectacle
of You on display

change is never easy
even when i succeed
reality can be terrifying
as a sudden jump 
or slowly engulfed in
increments of realization
i must allow or deny
as if i have a choice
but i'm learning by
stumbling along inside
and out the ways i find
honestly trying to hear
past my own reflection