If I Were You Poem by M Paul Burress

Oh the times that I've been told:
Hey! 'You're ruining your life? '
When I try to explain it
only stirs up more strife
Can sombody tell me,
how this can be,
That anybody could live my life
better than me?

Folks seem to know
just the perfect thing to do,
And say:
' I wouldn't have done that
if I had been you'.
Every decision I make
in their opinion is wrong,
They frown and they wonder
how I've made it this long.

So I wrote this poem
as a form of complaint,
'Literary? I know already
you'll say that it ain't.
I guess the time has come
that I must choose,
Which one of us is going
to walk in my shoes.

So you live your mess
and leave me to mine,
If you insist on measuring
then walk your own line.
Because my hay and your stubble
or my stubble and your hay,
Both are appointed to burn
and shall one day.

Before you summons humanity
to put me on the shelf.
You probably should take
another look at yourself.
I have good advice to offer you,
It's what I would do........if I were you.
M. PAUL BURRESS