The Truth About Tigers

occasional musings and free verse poetry, approximately



Trying Too Hard

“You really are trying too hard,” I said to myself,
“Grasping at words you’d never actually use
in real conversation. People who know you
are going to see straight through your pretentious bullshit.”

“Perhaps,” I replied. “Perhaps.”

“Ha! Perhaps! Just last Friday you spent over an hour
desperately trying to cram quixotic into a sentence,
because you thought it sounded cool!
Don’t even get me started on the whole empyreal incident.
And just now, did you or did you not actually consider changing
the title of this poem from Trying Too Hard to
A Disjointed Discourse with a Vexatious Ego? Jesus, man, seriously…”

I sigh. “You have a point, I suppose…
But in my defense, quixotic is a cool word.”

“Sure, sure, it sounds cool. And, considering your recent writing,
I’d say it’s a fairly accurate description.”

“Thank you. Perhaps you are just being a little overly captious?”

A defeated shake of the head.
“Alright. Have at it.
But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

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Responses

  1. Lia Avatar
    Lia

    Haha I love this. Sooo relatable. (This post was suggested by WP under your new years’ coat poem, btw which I also loved. :)). Part of the joy (and suffering :)) of being writers I suppose is that we’re rarely ever alone – so much company in our heads! (…Ok, I’ve edited this comment and stared at this blinking curser long enough, guess I’ll hit send. ;)))

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lia Avatar
      Lia

      *new coat not red coat! Argh! >D 🙄

      Like

    2. Jake Wills Avatar
      Jake Wills

      Ha! Thank you, Lia. And I can totally relate to being gripped by doubt, and over-editing, even with something as simple as a post comment! But your words put a genuine smile on my face, so I suppose that’s a pretty good start to 2024! Keep up the good work. I absolutely love your poetry!

      Like

      1. Lia Avatar
        Lia

        Aww hahah thank you! >D :))) Made my day. Many happy blessings to you, and thank you so much for reading and appreciating!!! <333 I've been loving yours too.

        Liked by 1 person

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