Reflections Poem by Matshona Dhliwayo

"When I am around old people,
they think I am too foolish.
When I am around young people,
they think I am too intelligent.
When I am around learned people,
they think I am too simple.
When I am around educated people,
they think I am too wise.

When I am around proud people,
they think I am too weak.
When I am around mighty people,
they think I am too meek.
When I am around cowardly people,
they think I am too reckless.
When I am around bold people,
they think I am too brave.

When I am around modest people,
they think I am too arrogant.
When I am around eminent people,
they think I am too humble.
When I am around virtuous people,
they think I am too complacent.
When I am around immoral people,
they think I am too narrow."
― Matshona Dhliwayo