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

By Luke Labern

What am I trying to trace?
              I'm trying to dissect,
Almost like the autopsy
              Of a living subject.

A lot of words are said,
A lot of rumour spoken
              So here I outline substance
              Not a hearsay surface token.

Success or failure? Superb or unethical?
              A million others I'll never know:
Despite the difference of opinion
              I think about both insult and compliment.

It might come as a surprise, but
              I'm aware of both my strengths and my short-comings.

Assured confidence is simply my way
              Of promising myself that death will
Equalise us all -- so until that time
             I have no reason not to fight.

And live life as if it was under my control.