Villanelle: Too Much Responsibility

You’re taking on an awful lot.

Do you really think you’re up to it?
Of course I am. Of course I’m not.

Trying to explain why fire is hot.

Your ambitions are immoderate.
You’re taking on an awful lot.

Trying to detect the exact shot
that killed Liberty Valence—that whole bit—
the grassy knoll and all. Of course I’m not.

You must have smoked a lot of pot
to think you’d ever compass it.
You’re taking on an awful lot.

Then there’s deal of whose grim lot
it’s going to be to stand on the bank when all the shit
rushes downstream. Of course I’m not

volunteering for that job. But I want to say, I fought.
You’ll never hear me say, the hell with it.
You’re taking on an awful lot.
Of course I am. Of course I’m not.