I prefer NOT

My work yesterday

I pursued with fire..

 dead letters burned

letters with news

for countless intended

recipients Unknown..

news shadowed or light

these notifications of

paths NOT taken

met their end by

my flaming torch..

My role as destroyer

carried my reverie

ignited a wish 

a blessing and curse 

to finally know NOT..

My work today
new letters appear..
copying not burning
yet sorrows abide in 
 slow repetitive death..
I must rise
 stand tall
Find face and soul
in that wall..
I must proclaim
I prefer NOT..
PREFER 
this delicious word..
 freedom's choice
 tasted with short
 bursts of joy..

Facing my wall
searching for NOT
into emptiness flowed
a bright wholeness
of  letters and light..
but a price to be paid
for other's disdain
they are forgiven for
 not knowing NOT..
NOT holds those
 letters I've known..
Ah humanity...

Based on Herman Melville's
short story, "Bartleby
the Scrivener"