What I'm Not

I’m not what I do for a living
Although it pays the bills, at the end of the day it’s still only a job
I’m not the house I live in or the car I drive
Those things make me comfortable, but I’m no better off for having them

I’m not too busy to hold my daughter or build forts with my sons
Because if I’m not there to do those things no one else will
And I’m definitely not interested in taking for granted
All of the things that my wife is and does and will be

I’m not patient with fools, or even sympathetic
If they can’t even do themselves the courtesy of listening to themselves, why should I?
I’m not apologetic for my gifts or my good fortune
No one gets everything so I’ll always celebrate what I have

I’m not a man, not if being a man
Means being rigid and abrasive and unyielding
I’m not done evolving
There is still so much I still want to do, to be.

I’m not going to pretend that I understand it all
I only know what I’ve seen and I’ve done
I’m not always going to say the right things
But my intentions are always your best

I’m not going to sit by and watch me and mine destroyed
The universe of what I care about is vast
And I’m not interested in doing what’s fair
If fair means forsaking it all

I’m not always able to have what I want
Yet most often I have what I need
In the end I’m happy with the cards that I’ve drawn
And I’m looking to be dealt a few more