Nobody hates me more than I; <br />No enemy have I to-day <br />That I so bravely must defy; <br />There are no foes along my way, <br />However bitter they may be, <br />So powerful to injure me <br />As I am, nor so quick to spoil <br />The beauty of my bit of toil. <br /> <br />Nobody harms me more than I; <br />No one is meaner unto me; <br />Of all the foes that pass me by <br />I am the worst one that I see. <br />I am the dangerous man to fear; <br />I am the cause of sorrow here; <br />Of all men 'gainst my hopes inclined <br />I am myself the most unkind. <br /> <br />I do more harmful things to me <br />Than all the men who seem to hate; <br />I am the fellow that should be <br />More dreaded than the works of fate. <br />I am the one that I must fight <br />With all my will and all my might; <br />My foes are better friends to me <br />Than I have ever proved to be. <br /> <br />I am the careless foe and mean; <br />I am the selfish rival too; <br />My enmity to me is seen <br />In almost everything I do. <br />More courage it requires to beat <br />Myself, than all the foes I meet; <br />I am more traitorous to me <br />Than other men could ever be. <br /> <br />In every struggle I have lost <br />I am the one that was to blame; <br />My weaknesses cannot be glossed <br />By glib excuses. I was lame. <br />I that would dare for fame or pelf <br />Am far less daring with myself. <br />I care not who my foes may be, <br />I am my own worst enemy.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-201/
