by Gregory Gonzales<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Ides of March arrive without warning;<\/p>\n
no seers, nor dreams, nor signs of schemes that morn-<\/p>\n
-ing. Shining steel: perverse\u2014their plot reveal\u2019d;<\/p>\n
my friends with knives silently mourning. Shank!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cYe there! Sit please; come closer near we want<\/p>\n
to speak. The choice is yours. Resign or die.\u201d<\/p>\n
My eyebrows raise a stony shield, \u201cBut why?\u201d<\/p>\n
They stood with tears; some hot with rage and some<\/p>\n
ashake. Wet Eyes that fail\u2019d to meet my gaze.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Trembling disguise\u2019d with a low crooked look,<\/p>\n
blood soak’d, stain\u2019d Brutus oblige\u2019d to explain,<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite defeat; I bade my try. With time<\/p>\n
I did besmirch the tide. Thy mates dissent.<\/p>\n
Whispered words seduce\u2019d once steady faith.<\/p>\n
I thrust the blade all those you love affix.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Did he corrupt my Mentorship?<\/em> \u201cAnd you:<\/p>\n Et tu German? Et Bri? Et Grant? assign<\/p>\n this choice — more like a threat? I did not raise<\/p>\n my wards to wield their weight with wickedness.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beguiled, heartbroken, bereft, my choice<\/p>\n I found; discharge\u2019d myself into the dawn.<\/p>\n Casear\u2019s wounds agape – I made<\/p>\n the gate. With dying breath: I said my peace,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI must profess, although thine heart is los-<\/p>\n -ing force; thy love persists for thee.\u201d<\/p>\n To their chagrin: my love I gave, and left<\/p>\n a sweet perfume of my integrity.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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