I Became a Writer Accidentally on Purpose

When I was ready to make choices concerning my career path I was surprised to find that some choices were chosen for me, based not on what I could do, but for what I couldn’t do. 

When it was time to make a career choice,

I had to decide who I wanted to be,

For each occupation has its own voice,

And I wanted the spotlight shining on me,

Career Choice #1

I loved languages and I took great pride,

Spanish, German, and Latin were on my list,

If I said I was diligent in my studies, then I lied,

But I enjoyed language structures, and I insist,

That some of the sounds tangled my tongue,

Until the day I ventured into the language lab,

When I heard the teacher describing to everyone,

(My recorded voice was booming and I felt his stab),

He remarked, “He’s terrible with his pronunciations,”

I had other career choices, this one wouldn’t be missed,

So cross off language translator from my list,

Career Choice #2

I often woke up excited about the new day,

Songs would be bursting from my lips,

Carpe diem! It didn’t matter work or play,

The whole world was at my fingertips,

Perhaps singing would be a great career too,

But that thought was soon nipped in the bud,

When my career in singing all fell through,

Ostracized and disgraced, my name was mud,

In mid-song the choir director brought us to a halt,

She loudly announced, “Someone’s off key,”

“We can’t sing this cantata because of someone’s fault,

I wasn’t worried because I knew it wasn’t me,

Then she said, “That voice is on this side,”

She put us in groups to narrow it down,

Finally she was next to me, and I couldn’t hide,

She said, “I’ve finally located that awful sound,”

I could still sing for part of my everyday fun,

But I knew my singing career was totally done,

Career Choice #3

Like many high school boys I was ready to perform,

I wanted riches and fame, my name up in lights,

I did very well in sports, I was ahead of the norm,

I knew what was expected, I’d even wear tights,

My teams weren’t exceptional, although we did well,

One championship or two, the stats weren’t great,

If I would go to the next level, only time would tell,

But I found out the results of my professional fate,

“Son, there are a few factors holding you back,

“You need to be bigger, stronger, faster, just for a start,

And if you had a lot more talent the money we’d stack,”

So, no pro sports for me, just break my heart,

Choice number three was out of my league,

I was tired of losing but I wasn’t fatigued,

Career Choices (To be continued)

The Choice

He stood silently and scratched his head,

Staring at the oaks outside hard and long,

While his terrible thoughts raced ahead,

“How did I manage to let things become so wrong?”

He should warn her, “Don’t be fooled if no words are said,”

He shuddered and wondered, “Why can’t I be strong?”

The thought of her crying filled him with dread,

Although three birds flew from tree to tree,

And two squirrels chased each other on limbs below,

Nothing else moved as far as he could see,

Life disappeared when the temperature dipped low,

“I think this winter scene is just like me,

I’m in a marriage that’s as cold as the snow,

There’s a little life left, but I need to be free,”

His wife made coffee and brought it with care,

He didn’t look up, afraid his face would betray,

But he was already certain that she was aware,

She hurried off to wake the kids for another school day,

“Why doesn’t she mention something about my affair?”

But she busied herself with the children and he was on his way,

Sweaty palms, racing heart, turmoil inside, softly he began to swear,

An office party, it had started out innocent enough,

They talked about their lives and when they could retire,

He tried to stay away, but his heart wasn’t that tough,

They had too much to drink, then alone and on fire,

He felt tenderness, passion, and all the romantic stuff,

“I’m happy,” he told himself, yet deep within he was a liar,

For he still had to go home, and his wife to bluff,

Time passed quickly after that sordid start,

His desires were fulfilled but it was a living hell,

He knew he had to choose between head and heart,

Should he do what he thought was right and well,

Or keep on savoring life sip by sip, loving each part?

 Would he have to decide? Only time would tell,

What choice should he make, if he wanted to be smart?

One evening his lover presented him with a choice,

 Leave two children and his wife, with two years of deceit,

She said, “If you want to keep me, you’ll need a divorce,”

Quickly he thought, “Love on the run, or a family complete,”

It was only then that he finally found his voice,

“I choose to love again with a love more concrete,

I hope she will love me, because I’ve made my choice.”

New Year's Resolutions (Part One)

This year I want to grow up and act my age,

You’d think I had accomplished that at this stage,

It required responsibility to make the right choices,

But I listened instead to my own inner voices,

I wanted to get older but I’ve changed my mind,

All the things I wanted I’ve already left behind,

Have a family, have a job, be productive for awhile,

Been there, done that, I’ve traveled those roads in style,

Perhaps this is the year I finally will get a new start,

Lessons at Hard Knocks School didn’t make me smart,

I know, I’ll loosen up, and try not to be so tense,

Before, I tried too much, too soon; I had little common sense,

My money will grow by leaps and bounds if I put some away,

But it’ll have to wait for tomorrow, for there’s a sale today,

Be generous to a fault this year, give to those in need,

But without discipline to pay my debts, little can I heed,

Work hard and do my best, a goal for the coming year,

Instead I think it’s time to reflect, and face unknown fears,

I want to be kind and passionate, loving life without regard,

Easier said than done, my friends, life is pushing hard,

Live life with gusto, I don’t want to be tied to fear,

I’ll try to make every second count, just to survive this year.