Building Fire

they stood around me ominously.

every eye pierced me as they offered me no choice:

"Get in the robot, Shinji."

everyone knew I didn't want to.

everyone knew I was not capable.

but their first option was no option at all,

so the task fell to me.

Feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders,

I got into the robot.

they stood around uneasily.

nobody wanted to face it

they knew I didn't want to.

but I knew I could, just maybe, make a difference.

"Get in the robot, Shinji."

It loomed high above me

seemingly knowing my dilemma

but offering me, not a way out,

but a way through.

I could use this strength.

I got into the robot.

they crowded around desperately.

everyone knew what had to be done.

not everyone was prepared to do it.

I knew it would mean death.

I hoped it would mean life.

"Get in the robot, Shinji,"

I told myself.

The path stood open,

my resistance fell away.

I got into the robot.