This is a poem I wrote 4 years ago. The message of it remains as true today as it was back then. Regardless of the people you meet in the world who hurt you, or try to put you down, or make you feel like you’re less than zero, you have to keep the torch you carry for yourself burning bright. You have to love you. If you can’t do that, then other people are going to have trouble loving you.
And why people do the things they do, or how they do them, or for what reasons, and blah blah freaking blah - you have to realize that those things do not matter. People are who they are. All you can do is be the best you that you can be. Sometimes the greatness of you can change someone - make them better. But most of the time people are already who they’re always going to be. You have to learn to let those people who are not healthy for you to have around go and walk away. You’ll only drive yourself crazier, crazier than what they drove you to begin with, trying to understand them, and that’s not going to do anyone any good. You’re better than that, and that is the bottom line. The bottom line is all that matters. It may be cliche, but sometimes you have to just forgive and forget. Those two things really go hand in hand in life: forgive them, but forget them and walk away.
Now, yes, I am out of control in this poem. But as with most of the things I write, it’s firmly tongue in cheek - hence the title. It’s supposed to make you laugh as much as it makes you think. I hope it works for you as much as it does for me….
I hate the world today
Insane or stupid people
Always in my way
Though there are my selected few
You know who you are
You’re each a shining star
Yesterday I lied
Said I love her
But God knows that I’ve tried
It’s just that she is such a bitch
She always wants her way
She never scratches my itch
And she wants me made of clay
But I kick ass
Indeed I rock
They’re not worthy
To suck my cock
I am all that they will seek
With my tongue here in my cheek
I’m the dude; I’m the king
They wish they had my ring
Because I know they know what they cannot replace
What is left to say
Through the ups and downs
Life is but a play
I try to share the marquee
Here on my center stage
Was this their cage?
I just wish that they would try
To use their brains
But that assumes a lie
They cannot use what just isn’t there
Mediocrity feels fine
Instead of better they seek fair
And the fault is always mine
But I kick ass
I’m too cool
They’re not worthy
To eat my stool
I am all that they will seek
With my tongue here in my cheek
Yes I rule; I’m the king
Their bitch ass gets nothing
Of all I am just get the hell out of my face!
We all keep asking ourselves why, but the reasons don’t even matter
If you don’t believe in yourself, then no one else ever will
I’m the one
To answer their prayer
But they’re not worthy
To breathe my air
I am all that they will seek
With my tongue here in my cheek
I’m their dream; I’m the king
They had my sweet something
They let it go and now it’s gone without a trace
Don’t you
Forget about me
Don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t
As if you could
Forget about me
—“Cheeky”
J. Brian Terry
October 2007
