Parenthetical

I thought about my life
(or lack thereof)
remembering the strife
I’ve faced for love
and when I gave the knife
a pointed shove
to vindicate that life
(or lack thereof).

But can I say I’ve tried?
(To some degree)
we all must grapple pride
or cease to be
for what we are inside
makes others see
if we have truly tried
(to some degree).