no copy

 

Hey look, you see those others?
Look through those eyes, look closely
at them, the great successes
whom weakness never touches.
Admired by all, accepted,
self-confident, respected,
they float above this world.

Now turn your focus inwards -
down deep, away from others.
You'll see you're so, so different -
success escapes and shuns you,
your hopes mutate to failure,
reality's a shackle
that ties you to the ground.

You try to find diversions.
The TV flickers, beckons -
Here come impersonators,
gyrating, sweating, crooning,
pretending to be Elvis.
How could they be as Elvis
as was the King himself?

Why aim to be a copy?
You'll never be that other,
you'll never be that Elvis.
Keep all eggs in one basket.
Relax inside your difference,
and cultivate your wasteland.
Please be your own best friend.

 

(© 1996-2008 Maria L. Grist)

 

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