“Don’t find yourself, be the creation,

The pursuit is all, there’s no destination.”

Here, the speaker offers that you must create your own self as you move forward in life; do not think that you are already a completely formed individual. The poem emphasizes that you have work to do. Keep on pursuing your ideals and dealing with things as they come up without overthinking the future. Nothing is ever final; just keep going.

“A great sense of humor

not afraid to eat crow

it’s Aspen in the south

without the snow.”

The concluding quatrain of McConaughey’s appreciative poem about the people of Birmingham, Alabama, likens it to Aspen, Colorado, which is famous as a luxury ski resort and cultural center in the mountains. The comparison makes it sound like being without the snow is actually an advantage for the Deep South city. The first three lines all have six syllables, although the meter is irregular. The last line is two syllables or one poetic foot short.

“[C]ome home, door’s locked, key don’t fit the hole

sneak in through the outhouse, step in the toilet bowl

eat more bananas, monkey around,

next thing you know they run you outta town.”

The “capably able” person shows resourcefulness in every situation, whatever difficulty he encounters—even in getting into his own home. In this amusing, imaginary scenario his monkeying around sounds harmless enough, but “they” will misinterpret it and chase him away. The contraction “outta” illustrates the frequently informal or colloquial style of McConaughey’s verse, reflecting the folksy diction he uses to resonate with readers.

“On the other side of a mortal limit

past the gravity of an inhibit

where the truth pirouettes on stable feet

behind reaching out, ahead of retreat

where our sovereign soul is safe at home

unanimous, yet still alone.”

This description imagines a moment of physical and mental poise, an in-between state between rest and action, stillness and movement. It is a moment of calm in which a person experiences the depth of their being.

“The genius can do anything but does one thing at a time.”

This is one of many proverbs in the book, each of which imparts a general truth about life or offers a useful thought. McConaughey calls his proverbs “mantras and precepts” (57). This proverb is a reminder that it does not pay to take on too many things at once—even for the smartest amongst us.

“The lies you tell may buy you some time, 

but the truth will make you immortal.”

McConaughey often emphasizes the need for honesty and truth. Lying, this poem argues, is a short-term strategy that ultimately gets you nowhere, but truth is of a different order and leads the way to salvation and eternal life.

“May we more than do good in Your name

may we be more in our breath.”

Performing good deeds may be laudable, but “being” is more fundamental than “doing.” If you can expand your being so that some attribute of God is present in every inhale and exhale, you will lift your life to a whole new level.

“When requesting anything 

You do not yet possess

The answer is no.

Until it is yes.”

This proverb suggests the need for persistence and a refusal to become discouraged. You may not get everything you want immediately, but keep asking and you will eventually get your reward. The proverb suggests that everything is possible.

“I’ve been running from my soul

skating on the surface”

These lines of self-reproach illustrate McConaughey’s philosophy and his failures to live up to it. He wants to face everything and go deep, yet here he admits to doing the opposite. This is also typical of his readiness to confess how he has fallen short before promising to do better.

“[O]n the outskirts of rules

a little closer to choice

where you don’t have to yell

for me to hear your voice.”

In an age-old poetic theme, this poem posits that life is better in the country than in the city. People have better values. There is more freedom and fewer rules. People pay more attention to each other.

“We start playing to tie

instead of going for the win,

when participation’s the trophy

for every cow in the pen.”

When everyone who competes gets a trophy, no one needs tries as hard as they otherwise would. The competitive spirit is weakened, and everyone is considered equal. For McConaughey, this is not a good approach, since he believes that success has to be earned.

“Life’s a miraculous

journey of false

summits until the end.” 

Surrender to this fact. 

And climb until then.”

This proverb expresses the McConaughey philosophy that there is always some new mountain to climb in life. You can never stand still thinking you are at the top, that you have “arrived.” Just keep climbing, because there is always more. The word “miraculous” for life’s journey suggests the guiding hand of God.

“Idols or ruse self-abuse

products for our spiritual degrade

on sale at every corner

easy to find and ready-made.”

Here the poem references the many products available on the market, such as easily obtainable drugs, that will soothe the pains of life. These products are deceptive—they don’t actually help in the long term. Instead, this poem argues, they degrade the quality of people’s lives.

“Grow old with you she will

by your side and for all time,

  good counsel she will give you

across the immortal finish line.”

Truth is personified as a female entity who will always remain by a person’s side and will give good advice throughout their life. This illustrates the high moral principles McConaughey tries to live by.

“[O]ut of tune between right and wrong

until we stumble upon a song.”

The human condition is presented through a musical metaphor. People who are having difficulty distinguishing between right and wrong are said to be out of tune (with life). This can change for no apparent reason, not due to anything we have planned. When we just stumble onto the perfect “song,” it transforms our experience of life.

“God, help me to

trust myself enough to rely on others

respect myself enough to honor others.”

This passage is from one of several poems addressed directly to God, in which McConaughey asks for help in various aspects of his life.

“The addictions and pains

the murders and the shames

the blames and bad aims

the drains and false claims.”

This is just one stanza of a long catalog of miseries that make up a “daymare.” It is notable for the internal rhymes in Lines 3 and 4 (“blames” and “aims,” and “drains” and “claims”). Together with the end rhymes, this produces four similar rhymes within two short lines.

“The mess I made

oops I did it again, 

spilled my drink

of disease and sin.”

The speaker contemplates the extent of his sin, which is presented metaphorically as an overflowing cup. This is a stark reversal of an image in Psalms 23:5, “my cup overflows,” which symbolizes the blessings that God bestows. Line 2 (“oops I did it again”) is powerful because it gives the reader the impression that this process of sin is going on in real time.

“Sometimes I pray for guidance  

Sometimes I bow in confession

Sometimes I ask for courage

Or to remember a learned lesson.”

In a stanza without word play or sudden twists in meaning, McConaughey offers an honest, humble recounting of some of the things he does to help him live up to his own ideals. The first two, asking for guidance and making a confession, involve his relationship with God.

“Let go to climb

Hang on to forgiveness.”

This is two connected proverbs in one. The first is a paradox. In order to make progress in life (climb), one must stop striving for a certain outcome and allow the natural flow of life, guided by God, to unfold. The second proverb instructs readers to practice forgiveness by holding on to the desire to forgive. Thus, letting go and hanging on both have their place in life.

“My carnal desires multiply and compress

piled high they bear down on top of my chest

their tower I need to topple and fall

so I can catch my breath and heed your call.”

Carnality includes sexual desire, worldliness, and greed for material possessions, all of which are in opposition to a spiritual life. Here, the accumulation of carnal wants is presented metaphorically as a high “tower” piling up on top of the speaker’s chest and pressing down on him. He needs to overturn the tower to serve God.

“With you I care less for time and space,

instead I bow my head and listen.”

The poet addresses the rain that is falling outside and speaks of the effect it has on him. A direct address to a nonliving entity is called an apostrophe. The rain soothes him; his worldly concerns diminish and he turns inward.

“May what matters to me be what matters to You

May that matter determine what I do.”

This long prayer-poem begins with the desire that the things the speaker is serious about and cares about may be the same things that God cares about. The speaker wants to align his interests with God’s and allow that to guide his actions.