You Like to Think You Could Do Better

You Like to Think You Could Do Better

You like to think you would have done as well,

Maybe even better.

You give thanks that you will never find yourself

In such dark times.

Then your times change, despite your efforts.

So you try to do better,

Or at least as well.

And you come to realize

That all you might be accomplishing

Is to make sure the yellow stars

To be pinned to chests

Are at least as pretty as possible.

You like to think you could do better.

--John Magee