Expect the Worst

I am learning
to expect the worst–
people are selfish.
Why do I paint them
with my expectation
only to be disappointed
time and again?

And why do I
expect so much
from myself
feeling I failed
when I can’t
measure up
to an unrealistic demand?

Am I enlightened?
What difference does it make?
Am I spiritual
or this or that?
Oh, how I love
to paint myself
into corners.

I do not need
the future to be better.
I only need to choose
to be where I am
right now.
Just this.