Judith Viorst: Adult Education

I have grown to understand that
People whose accents are British

May not be smarter than people whose accents are Bronx,

But British helps, and that

Peace of mind is more to be treasured than rubies,

But trust funds help, and that

While it's better to die on your feet than to live on your knees,

What about stooping?

I have grown to understand that

People whose best friends are rock stars

Often are duller than people whose best friends are us,

But rock stars help, and that

Inner satisfaction counts more than approval,

But clapping helps, and that

While it's better to light a candle than curse the darkness,

First you could curse.

I have grown to understand that

People whose fathers adored them

Feel just as jumpy as people whose fahters said feh,

But love helps, and that

Self-reliance is braver than being dependent,

But help helps, and that

While it's better, as everyone knows, to give than receive,

Nobody says that you always have to be

Better.