proximity

---

they smile
because they’re in—
she talks to them,
acknowledges them,
laughs with them,

before us all—

because they’re in
proximity

to power,
watching the leader,
following the preacher
of the hour.

this is all very sour—
proximity to power
turns a dancer to a

wallflower.

but I won’t scour
over proximity
nor will I move

proxime

to become approximately
Jacob climbing a ladder
to be on a pedestal
only God should be.

POET’S NOTE:
Part of the Truth, Applied collection.

© 2026 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.