I got the inspiration from a professor down in Pennsylvania, George Boeree, who has an outstanding web site including a section devoted to personality theorists.  (See http://www.ship.edu/%7Ecgboeree/perscontents.html ).  His explanation of Erikson's stages includes the phrases, "I can do" and "I can finish".  It was a short step of wordplay to turn that into a brief poem of life.

I sent him my adaptation, with my thanks.

My favorite association comes from the stage II "I can do": I see a two-year old proclaiming, "I can doo-doo!"  What greater statement of autonomy could there be!  And pity the shamed child who cannot.

I'm glad you enjoy it.  Thank you.

/dave