Found it tucked beneath a magazine stack

Found it tucked beneath a magazine stack,

'The Art of the Assertive No,' no turning back

the decade that has passed since I bought it.

Today, at work, I said 'Sure, I can fit it'

in, another project, piled on the rest.

My gut, it ached, but I just put it to the test.

The book fell open, a dog-eared page caught light,

the yellowed highlighter, sickly, almost bright,

where 'boundaries' was underlined, a messy plea.

And 'No' in red pen, circled, mocking me.

Too late. Always too late for what I learn.

I read the words, then wait for my shift's return.

Another day, another 'yes' that wasn't mine.

Just yellowed advice, lost to passing time.