What’s something you’ve done that your past self would be proud of?
Pride wears a clean shirt; hubris thinks it invented laundry.
Pride, hubris—
a fine distinction
made by people
already halfway up the ladder.
I kept my name
from slipping
into the usual mud.
I learned
to mistake restraint
for wisdom
and was applauded
for the posture.
My younger self
would probably grin,
then roll his eyes.
Pride, hubris—
the ladder leans
only because I do.
Pride is the story we tell about our ascent; hubris is forgetting the stairs were never ours.
About you, The Pretty Reckless
Made with duck.ai 💛
