Less Than Me
Cyclical trials and errors of self-improvement! For anyone who has similar thoughts, feelings, experience.
I wake from a dream
regrets they fuel
dream or nightmare
fuel my worries
nightmare of a fall
worries about worth
fall to my death?
worth of self
Death not quite so
self of less
So, life? but not
less than
not quite the life
less than
life I'd choose
than I
choose if I could
I should
could if I would
Should
would I?
Should be
I would and do
Be better
do it all again
Better than
again and again
Than me
again without end
*
Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: This was originally published as an Exclusive story, but as no one was biting, I thought it was too good to waste just sitting there not being read.
Here are some other recent things:
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
Streams and Scratches in My Mind coming soon!
Keep reading
More stories from Paul Stewart and writers in Poets and other communities.
📢 Raise Your Voice Thread: 01/22/2026
Our “Raise Your Voice Threads” are hosted most alternating Thursdays at 12PM ET to offer creators more avenues to uncover exceptional stories on Vocal. As we are continuously searching for fresh creators and inspiring stories, this thread provides an opportunity to exchange and discuss the stories that have moved and motivated us on Vocal.
By Raise Your Voice by Vocalabout 7 hours ago in Resources
Comments (9)
I wish I could afford a paid subscription but it gets tricky with others too! ☺️ I am a little spaced out but hopefully these comment are ok Great questions!
I cannot afford to take that bite, lol. I'm happy you published it publicly now. Your poem was so deep!
Once again, I resonate with the way you think: thinking two thoughts at once producing a third to which I have no answers.
I so love how you make two poems flow as one. This is such an awesome piece
Well I'm certainly glad you made this a public work, Paul!! It would be rather unfortunate, if no one got to enjoy another one of your maddening pieces!! 😅
A very real layered steam of consciousness exploring that ever present question “to be or not to be” thanks for sharing this, Paul!
I really liked both of these poems, especially the italicized one. Good job.
Love the inner conflict that you were able to describe in words.
You know I was gonna ask how an exclusive push was going…seems you’ve answered it!