While outlining the requirements for our first critical essay
of the term, I notice a hand rising tentatively
in the classrooms farthest corner.
"What if I'm ideologically opposed to revision,"
asks the redheaded boy in a "New Slaves" t-shirt.
A city bus unloads its pageantry just outside the window.
A handful of sparrows erupts from the equestrian statue
on the quad.
I remember Sun Tzu's advice to humanities instructors,
which I review on index cards on the eve of each new term.
Hold out baits to entice the enemy.
Feign disorder and crush him.
"What exactly is your ideology," I ask mentally stroking
my beard.
"I'm a Zen Naxalite crypto Objectivist,"
replies my interlocutor.
"How about you?"
Removing a stray bran flake lodged in my beard,
I have no choice but to improvise.
"Pro recycling, anti-genocide?"
A voice from beyond my peripheral vision
says, "you're nothing but a pseudo Kantian neoliberal
mirage with meta narcissistic tendencies."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are."