An inch is an inch,
an irrefutable rule.

Purely logical,
tautological, a statement that’s always true.

Though what it means to be constant
admits to degrees in ways a standard inch does not.

And to not give an inch, to be steadfast,
speaks not of distance, but of resistance.

Inch by inch is a moment so intense
your heart stops.

Coming within an inch is a close call,
a near miss from total disaster.

Whereas, every inch, instead of being small
covers everything.

Me giving an inch and you taking a mile
is how you take advantage of
my stingy generosity.

Inching closer
is how we give way for each other.