Second Conscience Poem by Md. Ziaul Haque

At times we decide to do what we should not,
Relying on our own conscience,
And tilling every single thought,
Accepting as true that we possess finer intelligence.

Is our conscience always right?
A million dollar question,
Busying us day and night,
Giving birth to yet another tension.

Charley, Willy's second conscience, did breathe in reason,
Alas! Willy dived further into the nirvana of illusion.


-In Arthur Miller's 'Death of a Salesman', Willy Loman's neighbour Charley worked as the former's 'second conscience' by advising him since Willy's own conscience was devoid of rationality.