> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.hawkword.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# So Hard
- URL: https://www.hawkword.com/poetry/so-hard/
- Published: 2025-03-29T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2025-03-29T12:00:00.000Z
- Description: So hard to know what counts, to know what matters, distill it through some modicum of wisdom, when concentration wanes, attention scatters.
- Author: A. Gee
- Tags: Poetry, Allpoetry Import, #Import 2026-04-25 19:56

So hard to know what counts, to know what matters,  
distill it through some modicum of wisdom,  
when concentration wanes, attention scatters.

When everything held dear is torn to tatters:  
to fight the malefactors or appease them?  
So hard to know what counts, to know what matters.

Who wins? The one who speaks the truth -- or flatters?  
It's difficult to know how best to please them  
when concentration wanes, attention scatters.

What's one more lie? Acknowledge when it shatters  
your norms - and then make sure that no one sees them.  
So hard to know what counts, to know what matters.

Don't be surprised. Life started in the gutters,  
from boiling, slimy molds. Too late to freeze them  
when concentration wanes, attention scatters.

Time yet for just desserts, best served on platters?  
Go, hug your loved ones. Go, and hug and squeeze them.  
So hard to know what counts, to know what matters,  
when concentration wanes, attention scatters.