Hebetude

There is no greater error in affairs

than forcing, grasping, wielding, and then pressing

every unjust advantage, or even just ones,

according to the tyrant’s creed that all must bow

to overwhelming force. This tragic flaw

vanishes brilliant victories that might have been.

Next to knowing how to seize opportunity,

it’s most important to know how to forego advantage.

Knowing only the first of these two skills

procreates hordes of unexpected foes,

until, unsuspecting, the tyrant falls

spitting out a final “Et tu, Brute.”