Roll Up Your Sleeves Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

You'd like to realize your dreams.
And you seek from me and others,
'Sound' advice you wish to uncover.

Take your eyes off the prize.
Try to think of it as icing on a cake,
You have yet to bake with lessons learned...
As if you want the reputation of a chef,
Not just a cook.

Roll up your sleeves.
Become familiar,
With 'everything' in the kitchen you need.
And prepare to live your life,
Totally devoted...
To delivering each meal spiced,
With 'all' ingredients that are liked.
Become fast friends with sacrifice.

And...
MAYBE 'then',
With a 'perhaps' attached...
What you dream will be recognized,
As something 'you' alone will be proud to achieve.
With a sweating done...
Some believe others for them,
Should do!

If you can go through that...
And survive!
Those dreams perceived will come true for you!
But first...
Roll up your sleeves.
And prepare to accept rejection!
If you're in it to win it...
You will whistle as you clean toilet bowls.

That's the magic of success!
Doing something you would never accept...
Or expect that you would do.
But you will do it to get what 'you' want done!
And don't be afraid to feel a bit gloomy,
When using a broom to sweep up a room.