Ballad of a Big State Boy

The mid-west, protestant work ethic. A miracle or a curse?

Egotistical, but not self-centered,

That is how I have been described.

A geek who can speak,

Not your ordinary man.

My ego comes from confidence,

And having to battle in the trenches.

What stroke I have I use not for me,

But the betterment of others.

Self-centered was never an option,

I am a big state boy.

That place between the coasts,

Where mothers raised us right.

Raised on guilt and lofty goals,

Our goals are never met.

When one is reached, they move the bar,

And happiness eludes.

They defined our every goal,

From the earliest of days.

Education, career and marriage,

With our children close behind.

Each generation must improve,

The ethic tells us so.

But where is the happiness,

Within ours daily lives?

What happens when we fail complete,

Our children not improved?

They cannot reach our lofty height,

The ethic curse conceived.

Free them from this tortured cycle,

Let them live their lives.

The burden I may have to hold,

But I will let them be.

My ego will provide the strength,

To focus on their plight.

And center myself upon their goals,

Of love and happiness.