Perdition

X tells me he becomes more of a problem to himself every day. He shouldn’t think so much, he says, especially about himself. Isn’t that what they’d say? he asks. He’ll lead himself into perdition, like his own demonic double, taking his own hand. Perdition, what a thought! he says. But it makes sense, he says, we can only lead ourselves into perdition, we have to be willing to be led by ourselves. Maybe they’re right, he says, maybe he shouldn’t think about himself so much. Maybe he should get a dog, maybe that would help.