they told us not to burn bridges,
but i set fire to them and watched them burn–
they told us not to count our chickens,
but i counted the hens and the chicks and the roosters–
they told us to mind our manners
but i didn’t mind turning my back on what they told us
and now all these years later
i am more pensive and patient and present,
and i will turn my face to the rising sun and
be a gentle force to be reckoned with