Try not to flinch Try not to flinch When the needle strikes The blow comes And disappointment settles Damp Dark And foreboding Like a serious Dank Impenetrable Fog bank Try not to flinch Show concern Or fear Hang tough Suck it in Pretend you do not care Be brave Feign courage Act like a man Act your age Act your part Speak your lines Stick to the script Try not to flinch Show surprise Shock Or dismay Act like this is just Par for the course The cost of being human Nothing out of the ordinary Hang in there Stiff upper lip Resolute Earnest Indefatigable Pretend you don’t really care Been through this many times Can handle anything They throw at you Hang in there Give it your best shot Carry on Persevere Be tenacious Go the distance And stop at nothing Until the winds shift The gods smile And you force Lady Luck To wake up And take notice Hang in there Until you get what’s coming to you Your just deserts And the payoff you deserve