Über Nerd

If being a nerd is not to limit myself
to dreams of popularity
but being where I am, doing what I do,
for no better reason than actually doing it
for its own sake

If interests become work
that something seems larger than oneself
without it having to replace oneself
That one feels smaller in a greater context
and grows in smaller contexts

If it implies meeting people where they are in their life
without pretending to be something you're not
or require of others to appear to meet standards too

If elbows are only used for defense
that one does not become envious
and doesn't wish to cause envy

And if by being so
I would climb most ladders in myself
in my consciousness
in my understanding of things

And if by being so
I'd have the peace to appreciate the small progress I might make
and not constantly run chasing my own tail
always being busy feeling important
with all the corresponding titles
in recognition of my absolute confusion

If by this and all my understanding of how a nerd
might or might not be is how a nerd is

Then i would be proud to call myself Über Nerd

Because the only public title I could wish for
would tell that I don't compromise
my independent thinking
for social acceptance.

Written 19. August 2009