Read Poem: Tell Me, by Tommy Tutalo

Tell me I can’t, and I’ll continue to pursue my dream

Tell me I’m wasting my time, and I’ll spend more time perfecting my craft

Tell me I’m not good enough, and I’ll turn my good into better, and my better into best

Tell me I’m dreaming, and I’ll turn my dreams into reality

Tell me to get a “real job” and I’ll turn mine into a way of life

Tell me to do it like this, or do it like that, and I’ll turn the other way and do it my way

Tell me I’m too late, or too old, and I’ll finish when I’m done and live like I’m young, turn your late into my fate, and your old into my gold

Tell me I’m strange and no one will understand, and I’ll continue to look in the mirror and smile, and continue to live and do what I do, without boundaries, or bonds, I’ll live and carry on without you, and live a life that is true

Tell me I will never succeed and I’ll find a way, I’ll make you recede and look deeper within, and eventually believe in me and my dreams

Tell me the road I’m on is the wrong way, that I should turn back and I’ll carry on, deeper into the unknown, and pave my own path

Your fear and negativity is my fuel, to create and turn into all you desire, and now that I’m here and you’re still there, I’m now the inspiration for all you aspire

Be bold, be true . . . live the life you desire without fear, without restrictions

Laugh, turn the other way, and mourn me before my death, and I’ll rise up and defy all your tests