Note to self on the failures of my life

Too slow. Too fast.
Wrong notes plucked
on out of tune guitar.
Is failing
simply practicing
to succeed?
Or maybe
you just suck.

Is this poem really about
learning to play the guitar?
Is it about dating?
Making love?
Interviewing for a job?

If you write a poem about failing
to write a poem about failure
have you not
not failed after all?
Is the poem still about failure?
Or is it now about success?
But if it’s poorly written,
is it about failure after all?

Maybe you just suck.
But not at existential crises
that burn away self esteem.
You’re really good at those.

Are we back to a success?
A success at failing?
Fuck. I’m going to go watch TV.

©2023 Kenneth W. Arthur