never imitate (and never die young)
never imitate but be yourself
my mama once told me
but who am I mama but a boy
like all other boys
wondering when I will become a man
never hurry son and never imitate
learn to love yourself first
but who am I mama but a boy
dreaming of going to war
and dying a courageous death
oh no child you will never go to war
take that silly notion out of your head
learn to never imitate and remain yourself
even when you are lost and alone
but mama I don’t want to be
lost and alone
I want to go off to war
and never come back
and make you as proud as you can be
february two thousand twenty
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
jdubqca 
;(
for sure
that was heartfelt poem
thank you