Do the thankless work
That no one will acknowledge
Lest you burn out from constantly performing for their attention.
Do the necessary work
That no one will see
Lest you forget your inherent value.
Do the unglamorous work
That no one will praise
Lest you lose yourself to seeking approval.
Do the dirty work
That everyone avoids
Lest you unleash your bile on others.
Do the messy work
That no one will see
Lest you lose your pearl and be a discarded shell.
Do the hard work
That no one truly wants to do
Lest you lay blame without cause.
Do the necessary work
That no one bothers to do
Lest you lose your will and get tossed about.
Do the silent work
That no one will hear
Lest you are left hoarse from shouting into nothingness.
Do the work you think is beneath you
That no one will let you forget
Lest you forget the contributions that allow you to live as you do.
Do the uncharacteristic work
That no one can point to
Lest you trade your individuality for conditional acceptance.
Do the inner work
That no one can take from you
Lest you rest precariously on the brittle foundations of vanity.
Do the outer work
That no one else can do for you
Lest you forget your agency to thrive.
Amarepoeta
Outside my mind 