Out of a hundred people
those who always know better
–fifty-two
doubting every step
–nearly all the rest,
glad to lend a hand
if it doesn’t take too long
–as high as forty-nine,
always good
because they can’t be otherwise
–four, well maybe five,
able to admire without envy
–eighteen,
suffering illusions
induced by fleeting youth
–sixty, give or take a few,
not to be taken lightly
–forty and four,
living in constant fear
of someone or something
–seventy-seven,
capable of happiness
–twenty-something tops,
harmless singly, savage in crowds
–half at least,
cruel
when forced by circumstances
–better not to know
even ballpark figures,
wise after the fact
–just a couple more
than wise before it,
taking only things from life
–thirty
(I wish I were wrong),
hunched in pain,
no flashlight in the dark
–eighty-three
sooner or later,
righteous
–thirty-five, which is a lot,
righteous
and understanding
–three,
worthy of compassion
–ninety-nine,
mortal
–a hundred out of a hundred.