12/5/2003

He was
a self taught
thief
which meant
he had to learn
without
the safety net
a master
provides
for his apprentice.
His mistakes
were ample
his survival
of self-instruction
an achievement.
The wisdom
of discipline
and perseverance
emerged slowly
through resistance
and frustration
to any delay
in satisfying
the hunger
that drove him
until
sufficient skill
was acquired
to make success
more predictable
than haphazard.
Having come
a great distance
on gall
rather than
confidence
in who he was
and what
he could
get away with
when considering
the theft
of a lifetime
because
the opportunity
was obvious
though ready
he doubted
having become
the man
for the job
a crisis of faith
he had to
negotiate
one step
at a time
for stage fright
is
one thing
but a thief
requires nerve
most actors
can only admire.