Against Role Models

She brought him something she adored.
She wanted him to adore it.
At a glance, he knew he couldn’t.

He tried not to comment on it.
He tried to steer her to her own
Capacity to create worlds.

Limitations don’t limit us,
Not like appreciation does.
We get held back by what we love.

Could we be freer if we chose
To admire nothing no one did?
It’s unlikely the choice is ours.

Our admirations confine us.
We’re limited by what we love.