Redefining Literal

...had to redefine what literal is... ~ Jo Cox

Literal – usual or most basic sense,
no metaphors, no allegory,
without exaggeration, undistorted,
exact. Lacking wiggle room.
Take it or leave it.
But what if I don't ​like ​it?
What if it doesn't fit my needs?
What do you mean,
no easier, softer way?
Half measures count for ​something!
Don't they? After all, they're called ​suggestions!
Guides to progress! ​What about that phrase
"progress, not perfection?"
Sure, it's simple, at least easy to say.
But to do it?
Yeah, my way has never worked.
But you can't mean all this stuff ​literally!