It Is 'Either...Or' But Not 'And' And No 'Ifs And Buts' Poem by RIC BASTASA

my father had always been emphatic
telling me

my life is
'either...or'

i must choose only one
and only once
then stick and live
to my choice
in complete fidelity
and faith

there is no
'and' and this and that and this and that
not that it will be confusing
but it will also be hurting
and that will be
utterly unjust
for the other
and this and that and this and that

and lastly
there shall be no 'ifs and buts'
he says
as i have already chosen
and once and only one
then i must
live on said vow
on a promise

to become a real man