An excellent poem you have written.I remember when Sidney Poiter said this quote which rings truth to this poem and he said "I choose to be the ME that I want to be".The greatest feeling in the world for a person to have is loving oneself for who they truly are no matter what.I enjoy reading this,take care and all the best for the New Year

Edwin

Oh yes...know all about these Christmases only too well, Walt! :)) But it feels good, at last reaching the kind of age where self-ease overrides group-pressure. Still, it's but one day in the year and a good testing of "goodwill to all men... and women!". Here's to you and you (!!) in the coming year! :)) xx

Always be what you are and if they don't like it just walk away. A strong voice in this poem Walt. May the new year treat you well.

It's ok Walt. We all need to be US

Alot of pain here-sad when people try to put us in boxes. Good poem, Walt, happy new year- michelle

being what and whom you are is a quality any worthy person will emulate -- fakes and plastic people are a dime a dozen Walt -- I am from the take me as I am, or leave me school -- very introspective work here Walt -- thanks for sharing -- may peace and love be always with you -- JMW

Being who you are is the best gift of all, anything less would not be true to yourself no matter what others may think...

Be always safe,
Karen

I had in-laws that despised me. We are who we are. That makes us unique.
It's like I say: I love -- therefor I am.

Love,
Becca~

Walt, my own useless philosophy has been that if I wanted to get inside bad enough, I'd knock the damn door to the ground.

Nice piece of writing, short as it is...
Cheers,
Dan

So you are, now...be a good boy and pass another Coors!

Georg

I agree with Rose Walt.
Happy New Years!
Ron

You could never be an outsider with us Walt, so just continue being who you are.

Newfie hugs, Rose

I have been on them shores too Walt and sometimes we are better off on the outside looking in...less chance of being trapped in an eternal fire if we are outside.

fee

Yeah, Walt, welcome to the world. But there's some solace to be taken from the knowledge that Jesus wasn't accepted in his own home town. And from what I gather, you're not even claiming the power to walk on water.

By the way, I love your phrasing in this piece. Especially nice and one to remember is "My opinions are naught but schit." It has a certain ring to it that is music to my ears. I mentioned it to Mr. Obama a few minutes ago, and he agrees how justified you are in your viewpoint and commented he was thinking about appointing you to one of his cabinet posts. The Department of Irrelevancy, I think he said.

I love your work, Walt. It always has sort of a drunken Mark Twain twang to it.

Richard

Loneliness in these lines of confusion, Walt; I'm sorry. Sadness, well penned.

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.