Holding the centre

Sometimes 

I wonder

if even I know

the real me. 

For I am not all

that I pretend

to be. 

I speak of

grace and quote

philosophy. 

I admire beauty

in nature and

and marvel

at the creatures

that I see. 

I am glad

to do good

or at least

minimise the bad

but close off

the risk of

too much

empathy. 

And at a switch

I turn off

the better me.

For a sensitive

soul finds

it hard

to smile,

laugh and 

be at be

wholly at ease

in a world 

full of risk

and madness. 

Yes it's true that

poverty and evil

make me sad,

but I have studied

the art of war

and not always

practiced peace. 

Scratch me

and you will

find the beast.