Trippers and askers surround me,
People I meet…the effect upon me of my early life…of the ward and city I live in…of the nation,
The latest news…discoveries, inventions, societies…authors old and new,
My dinner, dress, associates, looks, business, compliments, dues,
The real or fancied indifference of some man or woman I love,
The sickness of one of my folks – or of myself…or ill-doing…or loss or lack of money…or depressions or exaltations,
They come to me days and nights and go from me again,
But they are not the Me myself.
What we do on earth determines our destiny…