success and failure
fraternal twins fed by angst,
seeking approval.
no consolation
in the silence or applause
they sought acceptance.
clothed in afterthought
lingering at shadow’s edge
no acknowledgement.
Oddly enough this poem came to me while I was watching Ender’s Game on HBO this afternoon. In solidarity with my Texas relatives I’ve taken a snow day, plus I still have a nasty head cold, so watching HBO is probably therapeutic.
Back to Ender’s Game–I was struck by how purposeful his education was and for the thousandth time reflected on how without purpose mine was. Yes, I was taught to read, write, and perform mathematics, but to what end? Upon graduation from high school I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do or become.
When I went to college the first time, I was still purposeless. It seemed silly for me to continue spending my parents’ money on a big “if”.
Even when I returned to school I had no real desire to become a teacher; it just made sense for our family. I wonder, how do others deal with this lack of desire to be something specific. I know I had aspirations at one time, but I cannot remember them at all.
American Dream
She was smart,
But she held no purpose.
Talented,
Yet no audience.
What benefit then
Of all this hard work
These accolades?
That stellar GPA means
Less than nothing now;
Numbers on a printout.
All for a scroll with
Her name in tight
Script.
He was smart
But not filled with grand
Ideas.
Tailored for
Leadership through
Genetics perhaps, and
Hard work.
No four year degree or
Empty promises.
Trials along his path
Strengthened his
Resolve, brought him
Success.
American Dreamers
Different paths
Taken together.
Not the entire story,
Neither is it at an end.
Daily one or both
Smile, slightly
Dazed by their
Journey.
Remember? he’ll ask
She always does.
What next? She’ll wonder.
Who knows? Says he.
Peace, People!