From one to ten or back again
no matter which end you start
you will soon come to realize
that numbers will not add up
for this is about your heart.
 

Think of all the good you have done
over years your memory can count,
helping others to help themselves
caring for others, bestowing love,
selfless sacrifice making you blest.
 

Yet you also know there is another side
perfection unattainable, ask your heart,
prior mistakes made, buried deep inside-
afflicting others emotional, physical scars,
detracting from all your good deeds done.
 

Try to overcome, repair, correct the past
acknowledge that which you know is wrong,
seek ways to amend those you have harmed
strive to find strength to improve yourself-
for overall, goodness shines from your heart.
 

Herbert Holzbauer
© December 2005

Midi: "Chanson (Melodie) in C"
Composer: Rudolf Friml
(www.kunstderfuge.com)

Graphic: "Self Evaluation"
(www.aafp.org)