I've had this conversation before, but it never seems to make me any bolder. Ah well - nth time's the charm

Steady now; steady
she mustn't know you're afraid.

But how can I hide it? I'm shaking like a leaf.

Calm yourself - she's just a girl. No more, no less

but what If she doesn't like me?

Then she'll tell you to go away. That's ALL she can do.

I hate being rejected

You've faced it before; it didn't kill you

but she could be different!

She might be, she might not be. At any rate, YOU cannot base your self-esteem on the opinions of others.

But I do! That's who I am!

Then change that. You are AWESOME. You have always been awesome, even when others think you've fucked up.

What if they're right?

You mustn't let it get to you. No matter what, know that this life is an ACT. You are an actor - keep your smile on, and your chin up. Through this, you will win them all over.

Stiff upper lip?

Stiff upper lip.

Conversation as poem

Youth corrupts;                       Age corrupts;
age refines                               youth refines
that which is created                the products of hard work
as the result of hard work        and ingenuity.
and ingenuity.                          What of being bald?
What of being bald?                Why do we need hair?
Why do we need hair?             It's another way to sort
It's another way to sort            the 'yes's' and the 'no's'
the 'yes's' and the 'no's'            When simple trust fails
When simple trust fails             In a world where liars lie
In a world where killers lurk    waiting around every corner.
around every corner.            

Omission is power,                  Omission is weakness;
for it fosters the imaginations     it means the poet is too stupid
of the readers                           to tie up loose ends.
and makes subject matter        
relatable.

All is forgiven -                       It is unforgivable -
to each his own.                     formalities create
                                             common language.

Yes!                                      No!
But why not?                         You cannot give in to everyone!
I want to.                               You are a fool.
Fools enjoy themselves            - and do nothing else
Michelangelo was miserable    yet he created the greatest art known to man
shall we agree to disagree?     How can I? You are wrong.
I'm tired of this argument.       Then admit your folly.
Never!                                   SHUT UP.
As you wish.                    

Left and Right

"You and I are told that we must choose between a left or a right, but I suggest that there is no such THING as a left or right. There is only an up or down. Up to man's age old dream -- the maximum of individual freedom consistent with order -- or DOWN to the ant heap of totalitarianism."

- Ronald Reagan

Stop thinking in terms of politics. Frankly, it's stupid. Each politician has his or her own agenda, constituents to attend to, and divers lobbyist groups to placate. You CANNOT change that if you still believe and participate in the two-party electoral system. Our founding fathers gave birth to this country based on their belief in the capacity of mankind for self-government. That means that ALL men have equal right and ability to participate. No one's voice is too small to be heard, nor should anyone wield disproportionate power with their voice.

The maximum of individual freedom consists of as LITTLE taxation as possible, as FEW government programs and institutions as possible, as SMALL of an army as necessary to defend ourselves with, and as NON-INVASIVE of a legal code as can be conceived. Let me be perfectly clear: NONE of these ideals have been made reality since the earliest days of our country. The tendency of government is to become centralized, bureaucratized, and all-encompassing with the passage of time. We have seen it with every great historical nation - Athens, Sparta, Rome, Britain, China, Mongolia, and the Ottoman empire. Bureaucracy is the enemy. Acknowledge this, and search wherever possible for reform.

We had it right the first time, my fellow Americans. We do not need to hand over any more power to our leaders in Washington - no. We need to be the leaders we have always been. We need to start taking charge of our OWN lives.

Lazy

I eat shit food because it tastes good - but it makes me fat.
I don't work out because it hurts - but it makes me strong.
I don't socialize with kids my age because it's scary - but it makes me a better person.
I don't develop lasting relationships because they're difficult - but they are invaluable.
I pray maybe once a week, once a month, unless something terrible has just happened - because I am
unable to maintain any sort of consistency in my life.

Are you consistent? Are you able to sit down at a table and get your work done in one sitting; day after day? Do you contact your friends and family on a routine basis? Do you maintain your beliefs about the world no matter what?

If so, I don't know whether to congratulate you or berate you. You can do something I can't, if you ARE consistent, but you're also letting your mind get into a rut.

There is a compromise to be made - I must improve myself without doing any improvement on a routine basis. Workouts can be done morning, noon, evening, or midnight. The same for homework and studying. What matters is that each task be done ON TIME - that is all.

Only Human

I've got so many ambitions, so many plans!
I want to paint, to take photos, to write the best damn literature this world has ever seen!
I want to study medicine, law, politics, and become an astronaut and BUSINESSMAN while I'm at it!
But I am only human.
I want to live as long as this body will allow me; a hundred and fifty years or more!
But I am only human.
I eat poorly, I exercise infrequently, and I do not use my mind as I should.
I want to travel the world - to live as extravagantly as possible! And still call myself saint while I'm at it.
But i'm only human.
I want to rise above my general laziness, lack of an attention span, and become someone other than myself.
But i'm only human.
So If I am to do ANY of the things on this list, and retain my sanity throughout, I just have to rise above myself.

I will be superhuman.