Compromise

My beloved, the political scientist, sees compromise as a good thing.  He teaches students the importance of compromise, to see that all good political decisions involve some level of compromise. So often we see compromise as something we need to settle for.  I did not choose this, we say.  This is unfair, we say.  My beloved, the political scientist, offers the idea that compromise just might be a good thing.

Again I think

I am compromised.

To move

Just slowly enough,

More and more

To stand on the edges,

To watch the cat

Sleep in the sun.

Again I remember

Not to rush

And

In my half-full brain

Perhaps

Not to think of this

As compromise;

Not to think of this

As my lot in life;

Not to think of this

As forced retirement;

But instead to see

The possible gift.