A pesky fellow follows me
In all I do each day,
Annoying me with comments
As I go along my way.
I set about the things I want
With busy hand and mind,
And all the time this irksome guy
Tags right along behind
He scrutinizes every move
Advising me with glee.
I call this ever-present nag
"The man I want to be."
I try to walk an easy route;
He shows a better path,
And if a shortcut I would take
I'm sure to face his wrath.
I'll start to say some hurtful thing
In bitter repartee
And have to hear the scolding
Of that man I want to be.
"Just hold your tongue," he'll interject,
"That wouldn't be quite right;
You'll thank me later when it's time
To try to sleep tonight."
Sometimes when, weary, I would rest
And be less than I should;
He gently but insistently
Requires me to be good.
As irritating as he is
He's really only me,
Incessantly reminded of
The man I want to be.
