These Laws, Rules, Since Antiquity, I Get It Poem by Dennis Ryan

Tuesday morning, May 23,2023 at 4: 26 a.m. and 6: 50 a.m.;
Wednesday morning, May 24,2023 at 5: 30 a.m. and Thursday morning, May 25, 2023 at 7: 32 a.m.; Monday night, May 29, 2023 at 9: 18 p.m.

'And I don't think the world is sold
on just doin' what we're told …
I couldn't lie, couldn't lie, couldn't lie—
everything that kills me makes me feel alive.'
—One Republic, "Counting Stars", You Tube Music Video

These laws, rules, since Antiquity—I get it.
Reasonable people have made them. They keep us
from killing each other—well, most of the time—
whether the struggle, the quarrel is over land, borders—
who owns what—money, power, sex partners, etc.
Still, these laws, rules are mostly wrong, work against
our natures, most of our natural feelings and inclinations;
they grate, irritate—we constantly question them.
We desire freedom, the freedom to choose what pleases;
we want to feel free. Nevertheless, the indoctrination,
the brainwashing begins in elementary school, in church kindercare—you name the place, organization—public
or private—it's there. Still, mostly wrong, wrong-headed laws,
thinking from the start—this conservative, ultra-conservative bend of thought. We need live our lives as we see fit,
live them authentically, follow all kinds of callings, and let
the chips fall where they may, the one caveat being this:
cause no harm. Cause no harm. There are so many roads,
paths, routes one can take: I marvel at all the possibilities.
I have chosen my path freely, and where it leads… Now,
readers, it's your turn; do not be afraid to take risks—be yourselves. Very few people are; most stay busy trying
to be the person, persons someone else wants them to be.