My mamma wanted me to be someone else
Who didn’t remind her of my father long gone
My teachers wanted me to be someone
Who didn’t think so much, and just went along
My college profs wanted me to be someone
Who believes what they told me I should believe
Why’s everyone concerned about the me I should be
Why can’t I be just who I am, the way I’ve grown to be

The preacher tells me I should willingly be
All the things he understands about the unknown
The doctor tells me I should take a pill and wait
Until it changes my mood and takes away my cares
The skeptic wants me to be less sure of myself
While the optimist asks me to be more than what I am
The pessimist predicts my downfall at every turn
Why can’t I be just who I am, the me who lives in me

There are some things I need to be that I need to be
There are some lives I need to live that I need to live
There are some thoughts I need to think that I need to think
There is some faith I need to have that I need to have
You want to tell me it is not about me or even what I need
But you’re right there telling me what you believe I need
And if only I’d believe what you believe I’d be okay
Why can’t I be just who I am, and believe what I believe
If I am judged by what I believe that I believe
Shouldn’t I be who I am and believe what I believe
 
© 2017 Tim D. Coulter Sr.