Endgame (poem)

By Luke Labern

It's a matter of timing.
Success is the measure
Of a man's ability
To control time.

Greatness is the result
Of sustained excellence --
Consistent championing
Of one's existence.

The world is a selfish place:
Forget moral judgements --
If you ignore this rule
You've already lost.

No one will fight for you --
Even those who help others
Don't share all of your opinions:
Only you know you.

When the date has been set
Certain thoughts form:
Talent will win the day --
Improvisational inspiration.

But until then, a more
Difficult skill: emotional
Management. How to
Be at your best?

Not only this, but at a particular time:
Too early won't help --
Too late is just as poor:
Sometimes the world really is black and white.

It's in these moments that the great shine.
When it matters, they perform.
Practise is just that -- and I'm amazed
How many don't nurture their talents --

But I'm a high pressure player:
The more that's on my shoulders,
The better I have to be:
A fact for all to see.

I'm transparent at these moments,
Verbose when I choose --
But you can't hide results:
Either you win, or you lose.

Let shades of grey
Play pastoral often --
But at these moments
Future history must obey.

So I'll write history
And sign there my name:
I call this mindset
The omnipotent endgame.