it’s just a persona
adopted when leadership is called for
otherwise I’m as average as the next
drink my coffee walk my dog
worry over the state of the world and my children
in it like the rest of us
I am happy that some find something in what I offer
there’s a pride in that I can’t deny
it doesn’t become me anymore it is simply what is
I have put it down too many times for anyone to remain
who began from the first line of scrawl across the surface
of my life I have tremendous regard
but it’s taken me half a century to realize this
it should’ve been from first breath
and god knows I’ve neglected to pass this on in a timely manner
but still I pray or work at a prayer anyway
that goes something like let them be well my god
if not for I then them my lord
there is no one else I can call
after all so let it be you
so that this life can have something that looks like truth
held in its fragile and cracked grasp