A Desperate Appeal to My Younger Self

I've wanted many things with age—

Another year, another page

Of empty aspirations falls from view

But as I list them here below

By reading them, you'll come to know

Their tired warnings tell you nothing new

I wanted stronger family ties

Without the secrets or the lies

I wanted for us all to stay together

I wanted to preserve my youth

To seek myself, to find the truth

I wanted all that's good to last forever

I wanted to be self-aware

To be accepted, treated fair

Above it all, I wanted to be right

I sought to make my words precise

To be correct instead of nice

But wisdom is a ruthless form of might

I wanted righteousness to follow

To see unpleasant wretches wallow

I wanted all the stupid fucks to pay

Instead, I judged too harshly and

Alone, I've come to understand

My bitterness pushed everyone away

I wanted much, but little gained

Regrets are all that have remained;

Regrets, and hard-earned cautionary tales

Remember this, my one request

Its truth alone will serve you best:

Without humility, you're doomed to fail