Poem 1 – To Know

By Charlie Allison

Written June 1977

To let my deeds be indicative of myself.

To vigorously attack a problem without fear of failure.

To fail and yet look upon attempted endeavors unashamed.

To know I can but never boast “I can”.

To walk amid doubting faces and know that nothing must be proven.

To live my life with excited anticipation for the unknown future.

To be myself and yet live for others.

To accept criticism without anger.

To be good-natured in my search for sincerity.

To smile at my own shortcomings.

This is self-confidence.