Poem for Myself

 

This is only an experience.

Make it full and fascinating when you can,

But also, don’t sweat it.

Some days will slide into oblivion; that’s fine.

It’s your experience to have, yours only,

And maybe don’t compare yourself to Shakespeare,

Or Jesus, or Joan of Arc.

Those people once existed, and no longer do,

And since you still exist, you’re winning

(If only for the moment,

And a few moments more).

 

Besides, even Shakespeare must have had dull days,

And even Joan of Arc, in her short life,

Must have stopped, once, and stared out of a window,

Reminding herself that she was only living,

Before she sighed, put on a helmet,

And marched off to crush the English and die.