Why am I writing a poem
in the middle of the night?
Because I am brilliant?
Probably not. Every human
being is a brilliant poet.
It's just that so many
are unconsciously afraid
to be their real selves.
What a tragedy! I feel
for those people. They
are both the guards
and the inmates. They
both flagellate themselves
and cry out for help.
The sentence for all
of them is lifelong.
Everyone's greatness
is imprisoned for as
as long as they live.
Do not be afraid to
be your real self. Do
not hide your brilliance.
Share it with all others.
Make Earth shine even in
the middle of the night.

TOD HOWARD HAWKS