we narrow down our possibilities,
one by one,
and that's what age is.
the process of maturation,
a whittling down of desires until
one single opportunity
whether golden or not
is left.

i am still young, so many doors
remain open for me:
and although you have flung open
this opportunity to me,
i must have age enough
to refuse.
you make me break my own heart,
in the process of breaking yours--
but none of this is my fault,
and that
i think
is where your tears come from.