Have you ever been so sure
That you weren’t sure?
Even up to ninety-nine percent
But still not sure?
Well, let us talk about it,
I detect some doubt
So, let’s see if putting heads together
We can work this out.
So sure, and yet not sure,
Means there is more,
If only I could remember what it is
I knew before.
Something passed by here
But I’m not sure what,
It was stated among a whole lot
But that’s all I’ve got.
That part jumped out at me
But the rest is vague
And I must say it’s so convincing
My mind’s in a haze.
I know that context is key
And of this I am aware
But I have these niggling doubts
Because of the glare.
But something passed by,
Of this I am sure
But as to all that it really means
I can say no more.
It looked exactly like him,
You know the phrase
But looking exactly like the person
Leaves me in a daze.
There is still some doubt
Although I am sure,
It is like knowing what is behind
Some closed door.
A contradiction of sorts!
Ah-ha, that is it!
The kind that legal luminaries use
To get out of a fix.
“Are you sure, very sure
That’s what you saw?”
And with that, the assured witness
Simply hem and haw.
I know I have aroused
The ire of the grammar purists
But given the privilege of poetic right
I have taken the risk.
Please notice “the I know”
Meaning I know I am sure
And, I know that I know that I know!
Need I say more?
Yeh, something passed by,
I am definitely sure
But as to what it really is about
I can say no more.
So sure, yet not sure,
Almost 100%
But that zero-point-zero-one percent
Ruins my entire defense.
Get it right, exactly right!
Feeling is not certainty,
You must be sure that you know
Most definitely.
Stewart Russell © December 1, 2025
