Among the stark and sad realities of this world—
Among the hindrances and frustrations that
Stand in our way and menace us so—
One will surely find his own self.

And he may take the high road
Of dealing accordingly with himself—
Learning and correcting and pushing—
Or he may throw up his arms in despair
At the thought of tackling—or even admitting—
Such things. And from there
Turn his hope outward.

But even so, it is within his own inner self
That his outward successes must be enjoyed
If they are to be enjoyed at all.
And he is frustrated when he discovers that the soul
He has neglected and left unrefined
Is not willing to come to the party.