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One by one
they arrive

Some invited
others not

Some sin-cere
others not

Some truthful
others not

Some naive
others not

One by one
they arrive

Wearing various
garbs

The writer
The speaker
The coach

The teacher
The mystic
The guru

Some bearing
gifts

with strings
attached

Some offering
things

to change
your life,
or theirs

Their life

Mostly their life.

Inspiration: Unethical Internet marketers, gurus

Carl and Carli

Carl Masters
replied
curtly
to all
their questions

He barely
concealed the
impatience
and
annoyance
he felt
truly felt

Carli Meadows
replied
sweetly
to all
their questions

She dared not
conceal the
eagerness
and
excitement
she felt
truly felt

24 hours later
Carl and Carli
got the news
Carl at $55,000
Carli at $45,000

For the same job

Because Carl was
quite disagreeable
and Carli wasn’t

Inspiration: “Do Nice Guys — and Gals — Really Finish Last?
The Joint Effects of Sex and Agreeableness on Income” (PDF)

Twin Flames

In one place
and one time

two men meet
on the street

each bearing
a flame.

Aye, said one,
Asunder!

Nay, said one,
Israel!

each staking
his claim.

Flames entwined,
killing ensued

fueled by
ancient stories.

Inspiration: Letting Stories Breathe: A Socio-Narratology
by Arthur W. Frank

Image credit: Map of Ireland – Source