BEST
What does that mean,
"Do your best?"
Push myself
without any rest?
No time for play?
Never have fun?
Don't take a break
'til it's done, done, DONE?
Here's what I've learned
(disagree if you will)
sometimes...
occasionally...
it's a good idea
just to
chill.
© Mary Lee Hahn, 2013
It's been a crazy school year so far.
I'm struggling with what it means to do my best.
"My best" is a moving target.
Sometimes it means "A lot."
Sometimes my best is complicated,
and sometimes it is simple.
Sometimes it takes skill and long hard work,
but other times it takes luck, timing and inspiration.
My best at this sometimes depends on all of that.
I am not one thing.
I have many things that need me
to do my best.
So what is my best
changes.
"My best" has a floor,
but not a ceiling.
© Mary Lee Hahn, 2013
Dori has the Poetry Friday Roundup this week at Dori Reads.
A floor, but not a ceiling. Yes! And an ALICE IN WONDERLAND floor at that. :) Thank you for these, Mary Lee. I can sure relate.
ReplyDeleteYour best is all you can do -- thanks for the thought-provoking, relatable poems. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great poem, Mary Lee! And I definitely agree--it is so true that our best has a floor but not a ceiling!
ReplyDeleteThis is great! "I am not one thing" - YES!
ReplyDeleteYour last 2 stanzas are magical!
ReplyDelete"My best" has a floor,
ReplyDeletebut not a ceiling."
You go, girl!
It seems many of us in this Poetry Friday community are overachievers, reaching ever higher and higher. We need to stop and chill before we burn out. Love the rhyme play in the first piece.
ReplyDeleteI needed to hear this, Mary Lee:
ReplyDeleteI am not one thing.
I have many things that need me
to do my best.
So what is my best
changes.
Thank you, Mary Lee. We seem to be having the same kind of school year.
I love this! I am printing it out to put next to my computer at work as a reminder. Thank you for putting it in words as a poem!
ReplyDeleteYour reflections and poetry have no ceilings : ) Great thoughts, well said-->
ReplyDelete"it's a good idea
just to
chill."
And I loved your September mosaic.
Keep calm and poem on, Mary Lee--Hope you get plenty of chill time this weekend! : )
September was a challenge, wasn't it? Thank you for this reminder that our best doesn't have a ceiling. But if we're going to reach it, we do have to take a break and chill! Hope you have a relaxing weekend, Mary Lee!
ReplyDeleteLove the line "My best" has a floor,
ReplyDeletebut not a ceiling.
And yes, there's a lot to be said for chilling. Thanks for the thoughtful poems.
"My best at this sometimes depends on all of that."
ReplyDeleteSo true, this, the robbery of Peter for the payment of Paul. Thanks for the reminder that there are consequences for ceiling-less floors.
Peace. And chill.
I hear too many sharing this sentiment this year-I wonder what's changed? You've written it just right, or do I mean 'write'? Thanks, Mary Lee!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a constantly evolving best - one that adapts depending on what the circumstances are. What a beautiful reminder that shows being the 'best' is not an end in a continuum.
ReplyDeleteSo today, I hope you can take some time and "chill." Enjoy looking back on those "bests" and rest.
ReplyDeleteHoping you are having a relaxing weekend and recharging your batteries, Mary Lee!
ReplyDeleteGood advice! Hope you're 'chilled up' for the new week!
ReplyDeleteI hear you, Mary Lee! I feel like I'm always doing "my best," but somehow that never seems to be enough. So glad to see you're back at PF this week. I hope that means your load is getting somewhat more bearable. Keep up the good fight!
ReplyDelete