Our Presents Lay
What determines genius…
an endowment or a choice
Is there destiny in all of us,
waiting for a voice
Is to reject your epiphany,
most used as an excuse
By those who pull the shades down low,
the darkness theirs to choose
Was Van Gogh so enlightened,
when he cut off his left ear
Or Joplin ever doubtful,
when she sang beyond her fear
Is genius so misunderstood,
its meaning false portrayed
That we see gifts in others
—as we let our presents lay
(Villanova Pennsylvania: March, 2017)