Even when you focus on perfection
And can describe it with abandon
Word for word descriptions of how things should be
Visions of what it looks like when it is built
These things are never enough
You underestimate the will of people to be unhappy
Despite what you’d do for them

Even when you care about every detail
And can focus on what needs to be done
You can feel the emotions wash over you
Communicate the desire for success
These things are never enough
You underestimate the will of people to fail
Despite handing them success

Even when you color the world in a rainbow of options
And write about the dream in prose and rhyme
And make it vivid with Technicolor vision
Share your passion for others
These things are never enough
You underestimate the people to be selfish
Despite being selfless

Even when you dedicate your time for the creations of something wonderful
Mix it with practicality and patience
Temper it with intelligence and ethical contribution
Educate others at their behest
These things are never enough
You underestimate the trend of a people to take you for granted
Despite being their friend

Even when you dedicate your work for their benefit
And provide excellence in every choice
Accompanied with loving care and kindness
Expand the vision to include their wants and concerns
These things are never enough
You underestimate their ability to be complacent in mediocrity
Despite bathing them in professionalism

Even when you try to learn from them
And never give up despite the desire to be like them
And quit when you don’t get what you want
Or complain when it isn’t right the first time
These things don’t become you
You underestimate your ability to comprehend the weakness and frailty of people
Despite all your efforts

All the intentions in the world are not enough
Children cannot become great unless they will walk on their own
Take a step, fall, get up, and do it again
My children cry when they stumble
And I can’t hear them cry
I underestimated my ability to hear the frequency of their failure
I have moved on and I won’t look back to Sodom or Gomorrah

I know how to hold a path, even if I’m on it alone

Many words have passed my pen
For those who draw the breath of men
And sharp these words that sting the skin
So much so, I’ll not write again

Pain from more it cannot be
The words and thoughts have fled from me
I’ll not write or think again
For those that take the breath of men

Drama drapes over my shoulder
And looks of contempt hurt and smolder
Igniting fire kindled by ire
Surrounded by lies and the mother liar

Exhausting thoughts pour from my mind
All the tempest I hold the line
I ink my blood in poetic praise
And it costs me life in weeks and days

When I gave my words to no one else
And practiced silence and earnest stealth
A braided woman I did not see
Took some time and wrote for me

The words were soft and warm to feel
Made me hope again and reel
The words can pour out from my pen
For those who take the breath of men, again