If (With Apologies To Rudyard) Poem by Glenn Anderson

If you regard yourself as near perfection
And feel that any change would be a waste-
If you think you deserve the Lord's protection
Because you are near-sinless, pure and chaste-
If you, in conversation with another,
Can, without listening, ramble on and on-
Or force your presence on some hapless brother,
Ignoring hints he'd rather be alone-
If you think others need your sage instruction
In how to live their lives and think and feel-
If of small things you make a big production,
Confusing what's imagined with what's real-
If you disdain wise counsel others offer
And blindly err again and never heed-
You'll, thus, remain a vain and haughty scoffer,
And never realize your desperate need!
If being as you are has satisfied you,
You won't prevail, regardless how you run-
Success and happiness will be denied you.
Be wise, and change! Pray that you can, my son! !