Flagpole (Edited) Poem by C Jay Caputo

I have a vice,
It holds me down
It holds me back
It's wires attached to struts drilled by nails through a hole that leads its way through Earth
These wires provide power
I need power, constantly, a spark to ignite the flame, the jolt that kicks my heart,
I'm nothing without it.
These struts, these struts that hold me up are new and keep me stable
Without them I'd simply fall the ground: crack, shatter, wallow and capitulate.
They are but nails with which I aimed to pin none but myself.
But the nails wont, with no fault evident they have yet to weaken
The contrary, they strengthen
They hold me grounded in place and safe from rigorous storms.
They keep me calm and subtle though rough winds.
never am I exposed, alone, broken, fearful, cold, uncertain, woeful, defeated, lethargic and unstable
I'll take the nails,
I'll take the struts,
I'll take the wires,
They give me all I need
All I want and could imagine
They give me security
I'm content with what I have to hold up.
And embrace with great acceptance what holds me up,
So as long as the nails rust, but never relinquish grasp of my base,
The wires fray but never seize conduction
The struts bend and sway but don't snap
I'll stay in place
Only because you hold me there