The Prognosis of a Passionate Man (Part V) (poem)

By Luke Labern

I respect myself. I respect man
And its ability to create and destroy.
There's evil and virtue in all of us --
The good just have greater self-control.

Long-term immorality is just a weakness.
Violence is the outlet of the unfulfilled,
Just a lack of authenticity -- energy
Thrown in the wrong directions.

But though all of this will perish --
You, me, the paper, the words --
Does that steal meaning from the moment...
Or does it make it all there is?

I live like life comes around once
And feed myself on the taste and fuel of dreams.
I know first-hand that to make reality
You have to explore what at first, simply seems.

The love of a lifetime can change your perspective quickly:
I used to say it was a fraud, too sickly
Sweet -- but now I know.
              I was wrong.
              It exists.

Cliché-killing is one of my passions. I promise
I wouldn't use such words
If I didn't mean them.
I gladly overwrite the past
In writing this.

Certain gaps we leave
In our personalities
Remain exposed and empty
Until we make the memories.

And spontaneity is all-important
But so is date-setting and suspense.
Greatness is akin to patience --
It's all a matter of waiting.