SMART

You don't get to decide just how smart you are.
Other people will do that for you.
You don't get to choose how high to set the bar
To test if your assessment is true.

Now, just because your mother marveled
At your quick wit and repartee,
It does not mean you're that savoirful.
All mommies tend to think that way.

And if friends take pains to commend your brains,
They speak in reciprocal terms
Alas, it's true, the praise they'd refrain
If no tribute came in return.

Now it used to be you could measure smarts
If a person had earned a degree.
But gender studies in liberal arts?
Darlin, people do that for free.

Do you crave what the world has to tell you?
Or is it the other way 'round?
Can only the whip hand fulfill you?
Whose voice is your favorite sound?

I was once in awe of my brain's ability.
But learned I'm not that astute.
The quickest path to true humility?
Be the genius who screwed the pooch.

So avoid the conceit of self flatt'ry
And don't let yourself get deluded.
And think the lights on when the batt'ry
Ain't there and was never included.

-- Steve Stinson