Teddy Bear in the Toolbox
I’m a little too much of the same thing
I run on the railway lines
That roll as straight and narrow
As the razor-sharp wire I
Am constantly using as a tightrope
I’ve been told I’m funny
Key word: been told
No one really knows who
They are to other people
But I think I can trust the people
I love enough
I love them for a reason
And they aren’t the type to
Keep around someone who
Isn’t worth the time
I look like I was
Born to work in a bank
Or to be a librarian
Maybe even a federal bureaucrat
With so many regulations they drown me
Big glasses with bad eyes behind them
A stooped back and
Dry hands and a moisturized face
I keep it going
Nice and steady
They ask me how
I do it all
Habit, honestly
But I also care
I try to, a lot
Because when you don’t care
Nothing matters
And nothing ever will
I’m a little bit
Boring
In the grand scheme
But I’m on the steady path
At least, now I am
(Wasn’t Before)
I’m a little too much
Of that stream of consciousness
Type
Despite the fact that
My head’s pretty quiet
Nowadays
But I’m
Real dependable
If you give me the chance
I don’t bow
Don’t kneel
Or collapse
When it gets tough
And I like that
About me.
It’s nice
To be the same thing
On the straight and narrow
(not that I’m either)
I hold up a lot on my shoulders now
Lots of people
Lots of important work
Or at least
Work important to
Me and
The people
Important to
Me.
Because life isn’t much
But what you care about,
And caring about what
I’m doing
Or what she’s doing
Or what he’s doing
Or what they’re doing
Isn’t the most
Constructive use
Of time.
I keep people up
With broad shoulders
And you too,
Will find your greatest strength
In a
Trait
That others hate about you
But I’ll tell you
It’ll serve you better
And what you care about
Better
Than anything else could.