The Real You

Have you listened to yourself?

Do you ever ask what if ...?

Do you lash out with your friends,

Then refuse to make amends?

At office drive, do you give

For those without place to live?

Do you snarl at lonely child

Who asks you to play awhile?

Do you join in, laughing loud,

When bawdy jokes rouse the crowd?

With harm done, are you contrite,

Or grin when you're out of sight?

Offer grace when friend invite,

Or turn away as if affright? 

Are you quick to stop and greet

Poorly widow down the street?

Or if a teen turns to you

When his friend proves untrue,

Do you offer guiding light --

How forgiveness makes right?

Do you always pay your share,

Even when it feels unfair?

Humble deed will always serve

To bring you all you deserve.

Author's Note

I was no nice guy as a youngster. Nobody cared to tell me why.

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Doug, your lines here make the reader take a good look inwards. I think compassion needs to be learned. Children need to be taught these things and parents have a responsibility to do the teaching. It all starts in the home, but extends to school and to other places where children frequent. You are a man of wisdom. You have lived and learned. I can't help feeling sorry for some of the kids around nowadays wondering whether they will ever learn. A thought provoking little write. Hope all is good with you my friend.

Chris

[bigfootprint]

Thanks so much, Chris. You are so right. Of course today's teachers aren't dedicated like those of generations past. And who could blame them, for all the appreciation they feel? Childhood bullying by siblings left me with PTSD -- stagefright, afraid to speak or even look up. That said, I have had a fairly happy adulthood. Still as you know, all the world's a stage. Proud to know you, Chris. Thanks

[Chris Shaw]

You had a difficult childhood. You have done well Doug to have had a fairly happy adult life. Always good to check in and say hello. I always enjoy reading you.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

An interesting comment on what is is to be self- involved and lack the ability to give, to be humble. I know many people like this and I feel they need help. This poem flows nicely and the rhyme is perfect. To be humble is a gift.

[Gee]

It takes a certain amount of courage not to run with the pack and to do what's right instead of what they do.
Thought provoking piece.

[bigfootprint]

A good lesson for us all, hey Gee. Thanks

[Betty Hermelee]

The real you does dwell within you.... sometimes it just doesn’t come out. It’s best when kids learn at a young age that being humble is a good thing....and that means paying attention to others in need. Well written, I really like the theme. Best, Betty

[bigfootprint]

Thanks, Betty. yes, some children are fortunate to have good influences. It was the opposite for me, and smelling the roses was a long time coming.

[Betty Hermelee]

So sorry about that; I suffered somewhat as a middle child, but managed to survive m, despite lack of attention!

[bigfootprint]

I tried to learn from my childhood to become a better parent, but the effort didn't prove greatly beneficial.

[Betty Hermelee]

We don't always learn from life's lessons!

[Quill]

do you operate from n extreme? then you should pull yourself into a balance

[bigfootprint]

Thanks Quill, no doubt good advice, but I can't fathom your suggestion.

[Einstein Noodle]

hey Bigfoot! i think most everyone can look back at their youth and wish they were kinder, more courageous in doing the right and more difficult thing ..like sticking up for someone who one's "friends" are picking on .. or saying no to drugs or stealing or cheating .. we have flashpoints and poignant moments that test us .. i am pretty sure given a timeline .. in my youth there would be very few of those courageous decisions made .. and perhaps a few as an adult .. i do wish i were more Saintlike ... i think if ever i were it would not be because i am anything .. but because there is Grace in the world .. love the questions your poem puts to the reader .. requires some soul searching to answer ... :)
E.

[bigfootprint]

Thanks, Einstein for your insightful comments. One thing is for certain, it is a grand step forward just to admit that we as humans might, possibly, could be partially to blame for our own shortcomings.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I had a co-worker who once said, "We all bring our own s**t to the table," a blunt way of saying that we are each broken. We tape ourselves together as we can and forge our way through life the best we know how. Blinders of youth and ignorance hopefully lead to the spectacles of age and wisdom. It's hard sometimes to see beyond the actions to understand the whys. God grant us the grace to discern, to grant us the empathy and compassion to help where we can.

[bigfootprint]

Well said, Linda. It's true, the best we can hope for is to like ourselves first and hope to attract a few friends. The yen to reach out to the youngsters when we see them floundering is a test of true humanity. And it never hurts to pray for divine inspiration.