The Meaning

after Billy Collins 

You can beat it

you can bind it – 

it will slip and nip away

You can duff it

up and cuff it – 

it will always have its say 

You can leash it

you can lash it – 

it won’t bow to your demands 

You can whip it

try to grip it – 

it will crumble in your hands

You can preach it

you can teach it

you can reach for all it’s worth

You can trick it

from its thicket – 

it will burrow in the earth

You can grade it

and persuade it –

is it bothered what you think?

You can mark it

with a number – 

it’ll chuckle with a wink.

Joshua Seigal