To a Young Adult

A wise man told me I should set aside
All hopes and dreams of glory till I'm dead.
"Don't mess with fear," another wise man said,
"But if you do, remember that it's pride
Making you think you can." He wasn't snide,
Merely suggesting I should breathe, instead,
And gently reconcile myself to dread.
A third wise man simply broke down and cried.

Now that your working life is underway
You'll seek advice, sage words you can live by:
Can two live cheaply as one? Does time fly?
I offer only this thought: if you pay
Too much attention to what wise men say,
You'll sink into despair. Don't aim too high.