I Know It But I Don’t Know It

by Anthony Madrid

I know it but I don’t know it.
Than sticks to my bones, no sweeter fat.
We must stop trying to find reasons for that.
And better: stop actually finding them.

I know it but I don’t know it.
You’ve been told and again you come asking.
Their way is to give me a commission and then
Follow after to see if I do it.

I know it but I don’t know it.
I throw a stone and hide my hand. They came
With gifts and so hadn’t planned
On meeting with any resistance.

I know it but I don’t know it.
This ain’t school and I’m not Hitler. If
The point is not to be bitter then I’m
Apparently missing the point.

I know it but I don’t know it.
The wise like looking forward. I am
Climbing a ladder, itself being lowered
Into a hollow planet.

I know it but I don’t know it.
At my age you tend to forget.
They give me the thing and now they won’t let
Me take it out of the box.

I know it but I don’t know it.
I’m cinching the Celtic knot.
The ants have come and all I’ve got
Is a mile of twisted scaffolding.

I know it but I don’t know it.
I’m gonna need you to let that go.
You pull the string, both ends of the bow
Will try to meet in the center…

I know it but I don’t know it.
It’s something I always knew.
I say I don’t but I always do
What people force me to do.

Published on November 12, 2015