You Shouldn't

Instinct arose from my anger
I knew not what to do
In your advice I did confide
And you reply, "You shouldn't"

The words in mind did not settle
I had to do something
I tried to prove my point once more
Still you assure, "You shouldn't"

I went to bed full of unrest
For something must be done
My anger still would not subside
In my mind you say, "You shouldn't"

All of it inside without release
The qualm I want to solve
And troubled I look for another way
I was plagued by your, "You shouldn't"

And then trouble with morning came
I thought how I should face
Could I end it with my malice
But in my head, "You shouldn't"

The words I do toss to and fro
To do I'm still not sure
The perfect plan I had thought out
But hear it I, "You shouldn't"

I almost did, he had begun
My plan to be complete
On the verge I do explode
And then you say, "You shouldn't"

There I held back and did not fight
Your words I took to heart
And as time passed I let it slide
Because you said, "You shouldn't"

So in effect you saved his life
Not straight from action mine
But from result, he from himself
From your own words, "You shouldn't"

And now from this comes modest strength
For once I did resist
But who's to say I won't again
I'll list' to your, "You shouldn't"

These few words though are not much
Yet they are quite succinct
The message great is held within
From in your words, "You shouldn't"

You kept me out of trouble once
Your counsel then was great
And ever more I'll seek advice
Fore'er I'll hear, "You shouldn't"

-Keith Smithson-