Minus Expectations
When I was 9 – stalking through local woods like Tarzan of the Monkeys and
Climbing every unsuspecting tree – I decided to be a Captain in the Navy and command
A ship in troubled waters and they’d say
Captain on the Bridge! when I opened the hatch, and I’d say
What’s the situation, Mr. Christian? and exude calm and confidence to the little people who depended on my superior judgement to save their sorry asses,
But my 9-year-old-realist alter ego would whisper
How you gonna go to Annapolis? You’re Struggling with fractions, and fall into a trance during Catechism class on Friday afternoons, your folks don’t have any money, you dress funny, and are absolutely terrified of girls.
Ironic how we learn our limitations so young
And our possibilities so old.