Backbone
What a curiosity.
As your name suggests, you must be in the back. Or part of the back? Perhaps well hidden? And yet often times you are not.
In fact you are often the first thing that is seen. Skin is not seen, neither fur, scales nor feathers. Backbone is seen.
So you aren’t always in the back, but you are certainly made of bone, aren’t you? You’re full of calcium. Your marrow sustains and defends life. Except when it doesn’t.
Perhaps I am jaded that you still so easily betray me. I rely heavily on you, but that is not a choice I am given. So why do I even refer to this as a choice? You are a burden.
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You are a fractal. Complex, but in the most simple way. Your benefits are your shortcomings and your attraction is your addiction.
You are both a protector and a mediator. You do not yield and yet you compromise. You are often given and execute orders, but you also listen passionately and advocate on behalf of others.
You vary vastly. In many different ways. And yet, you don’t. But you do. And also don’t.
Is this what I am left with? A paradox? An incomprehensible notion of a notion?
No. I will land on something concrete. Probably a sidewalk.
