Remaining Vain Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Using the mind and not one's vanity,
Can limit feelings of sustained pain.
The using of one's mind and not vanity,
Is a life lived that gains insight and wisdom.
With understanding to comprehend,
What one with a kept ego...
Is prepared to defend without giving time,
To listen.

Nothing or no one can simply choose to undo,
Someone accustomed to thinking.
And using their mind,
Without seeking that approved.

'Look at me.
At what it is I do.
Take a look at me.
And I'm sure you will agree,
Not only do I look good.
But everything I do is cool too.'

Remaining vain has its pain.
When a vanity kept,
Runs out of octane and leaves.
Remaining vain can not sustain,
On an empty mind with noting in it...
Maintained.
Remaining vain invites a drought.
To leave others to find out,
Nothing in the mind can flourish to nourish...
Without something in it,
Besides a vanity that ultimately diminishes...
An attention given to it.

'Look at me.
At what it is I do.
Take a look at me.
And I'm sure you will agree,
Not only do I look good.
But everything I do is cool too.'

~I don't want to interrupt.
But are you talking to me or to yourself? ~

'That...
Should be obvious! '

~It is.
And I apologize.
Please continue.
I thought it was me you were talking to.
I use to have those same conversations.
But today I've come to recognize,
To leave when they become...
Something done one has to question,
Alone.~