Mulligans and Mix-ups

It's the admonishment in the advice
that sends the negative message.
It's what I'm supposed to hear,
just not how I want to hear it.
It turns into a circus,
like "what we're really saying is..."
becomes a confusion
between the point and the purpose.

I prove them wrong or get a do-over.
I'd rather run for cover.
These metaphors do me in constantly.
Why isn't it the same for you
         as it is for me?

I'm not inventing or pretending;
just barely escaping new ways of failing.
It's tried, tired and old;
this heart of my soul.
         Time to go home.
         Time to go home yet?
Time to go away.

The things I hear the least
are what I fear the most.
Don't dictate for me
why I should be happy...
         it doesn't work that way
and when what I've known to work doesn't
I'll suppose it wasn't intended.
I don't need another break to break me!

It might not be what I wanted to hear,
but what are they really saying?
The admonishment in the advice...
is that what they're trying to convey?