avatarJonathan Greene

Summary

The poem "I Can’t Tell You What To Do" reflects on the futility and insincerity of seeking external validation for personal decisions.

Abstract

The poem titled "I Can’t Tell You What To Do" delves into the dynamics of seeking advice when the asker already has a predetermined course of action or desire for validation rather than genuine counsel. It suggests that the asker is not truly interested in the advisor's opinion but rather in hearing their own thoughts echoed back to them. The speaker emphasizes the importance of personal autonomy and self-reliance in decision-making, as well as the discomfort caused by being asked for an opinion that will likely be disregarded. The poem concludes by asserting that the individual must make their own choices and that asking for advice is often a way of avoiding the responsibility of making a difficult decision.

Opinions

  • The speaker believes that the person seeking advice is not genuinely interested in their opinion but rather wants confirmation of their own inclinations.
  • The poem conveys that the speaker feels it is inappropriate to give an opinion when it is not valued or will not influence the asker's actions.
  • It is expressed that the asker's true intention is to gain support for decisions they have already made, rather than to seek guidance.
  • The speaker feels uncomfortable providing an opinion that is solicited insincerely, as it puts them in an awkward position.
  • The poem suggests that self-awareness is key; the asker likely knows their decision is questionable, which is why they seek external validation.
  • Ultimately, the speaker emphasizes that personal decisions are the

I Can’t Tell You What To Do

A Poem

Photo by Maria Krisanova on Unsplash

I can’t tell you what to do so why do you ask? You don’t really want my opinion You just want me to agree with yours But you are still asking me what you should do

I can’t tell you what to do because you are your own person with your own brain and your own desires I don’t want what you want You want something from me and I want nothing from you

I can’t tell you what to do because you won’t do it anyway You ask because you want support for your poor decisions not because you value my opinion on the matter

I can’t tell you what to do because it makes me uncomfortable to give my opinion on something to someone who doesn’t even want it but asks anyway

I can’t tell you what to do because the only one who can do that for you is you And chances are you’ve already decided what to do and you know it’s not right That’s why you asked me what you should do

© Jonathan Greene 2019

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