The Veridical Me

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. - Thoreau

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naked, defenseless and unforgiven

show me truth and preach me lies

before i'm covered in pestiferous flies

break me down and build me up again

plant my feet on heightened ground

straight in a row of sweet, tender miracles like summer corn

watered with the sweat of faith

reaching up for the sun

sing a song of persuasion to my essence

ripple my reflection in the murky, still water

shape my soul with the loving hands of a master potter

hear this genuine plea

lift me up where the clouds drift free

help me

hold my trembling hand while i turn redemption's key

across the wide, split sea

spit in the dirt and help them to see

take me to a promised land of lactose and pollination where everyone knows

the veridical me

Author's Note

“Be yourself - not your idea of what you think somebody else's idea of yourself should be.” “Do not lose hold of your dreams or aspirations. For if you do, you may still exist but you have ceased to live.” “When it's time to die, let us not discover that we have never lived.” - Thoreau