Vanity Poem by Gary Diamond

Do you think
For even one second
When you read this
That I wrote it
Only for you

When you find something
That touches your soul
Do you think
It was created
Only for you benefit

When you assimilate it into your holy place
Do you think of the many others
Way before you
Coming after you
Who felt much the same
Who felt it was just for them

Of course you didn't.
As much as we'd like to believe
Things are made
Because of us
Most times
That simply is not true.

I like to think a blacksmith shoes a horse
Only because he loves the sound
Of his hammer on the anvil.

I like to think a programmer writes software
Only because he likes the way
The code language looks on the page.

I like to think a nymphomaniac craves sex
Only because she is incapable of
Any other form of communication.

That's how it goes with people.
They do things because they were forced.
Selfish and with vanity.
Although some are pleased
That people liked what they did
Because it enchances the feeling.

Others are cheerful, soulful givers.
I'd like to meet more of those.
But they don't tend to weedle away time
In darkened bars
As debris like I do.