The Pool Cue Creed

This is my pool cue.
There are many like it, but this one is mine.
My pool cue is my best friend. It is my life.
I must master it as I must master my life.

My pool cue, without me, is useless. Without my pool cue, I am useless.
I must stroke my shots true.
I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to beat me.
I must run the table before he runs out on me. I WILL...

My pool cue and myself know that what counts in this game is not the shots we take, the noise of our breaks, nor the slops we make.
We know that it is the wins that count. WE WILL WIN...

My pool cue is human, even as I, because it is my life.
Thus, I will learn it as a sister.
I will learn its weaknesses, its strength, its parts, its joint, its shaft and its tip.
I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage as I will ever guard my legs, my arms, my eyes and my heart against damage.
I will keep my pool cue clean and ready.
We will become part of each other. WE WILL...

Before the Pool God, I swear this creed.
My pool cue and myself are the defenders of the game.
We are the masters of our enemy. WE ARE THE SAVIORS OF MY LIFE.

So be it, until victory is Pool's and there is no enemy, but peace!

Taken from the Rifle Creed of the US Marines (with the help of my buddy AK), revised for fellow pool freaks!