So I'm different? Gimme a break, I write poetry.

I am diversity,
I think on many levels at once.
I live on many levels.
I can relate on many levels.

I can see you.
I can see your rationalizations.
Trying to justify your beliefs about me.
I see you feeling that your assumptions are right.
I see you assume wrongly,
You don’t really know me.

I have learned many things from observation and experience.
I know you.
You think you know me,
But I have known many like you before.
Always feeling correct in your assumptions.
You assume wrongly.

Take away your misguided assumptions.
Leave me alone and do not try,
To make me fit into your view of me.
You do not see me.
You see what I want you to see.

In the process, my dreams and aspirations are often mistaken for ambition,
Thought of as a desire for fame and fortune as a measure of my success in life.
Wrong thinking again,
My success comes from the doing,
Not the material things by which society measures success.


That is not me,
But only what I let you see.
I am more complicated than you will ever know.

And yet I am really very simple,
I still naively expect the best from people.
Something I always try to give others,
Honesty, caring, mindful of feelings, doing what I can.

If I make someone smile,
If I help someone understand something,
If I make a difference,
I am successful.

I want to inspire people to be themselves,
And find happiness not in wealth or power,
But the simple accomplishments we all have daily.
Helping make life better for all with wisdom,
Gleaned from observation and experience.

I live and think on many levels,
I am happy with who I am.
Understood or not.
It makes no difference
To me, you see.
'Cause Ya just don’t,
Really know me.

© 2009 Walt Hardester