On Virtue And Merit Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

On virtue and merit.
To have earned and not inherit,
Takes faith with kept belief...
One does to leave behind deeds.
Not to receive accolades.
Not to receive attention,
Or awards to achieve.
To a smile broadly seen.
But a knowing one's best efforts,
Are selfish endeavors.
Yes.
A selfishness,
With a wish to see benefits from this
Pleasing others.
What other happiness is there,
From living life can one get?
To express one's true virtue.
With a hearing of others,
Address the merit of this to give.