Ahead Of The Reins Poem by Patti Masterman

I marginalize self
then feel marginalized,
I lie to myself, but think-
somebody lied;
If taken for granted wasn't quarried stone,
You might forget what you've always known.

Call yourself names
but it will still sting,
Do some bad things-
make your conscience ring;
If you have to do wrong just to realize
What evil is- then why the surprise?

You must take what's given,
and run with the days;
It's not a rehearsal,
for there's too much at stake.
If you saved up your life till the very last minute,
You'd never find out, what was really in it.

Don't sleep through this life,
For we must awaken-
And rare things from all
of our moments, be taking:
Every man carries his own tomb, inside
And ahead of the reins of his body, must ride.