30 years ago, a baby clung to life
with the tenacity of someone never touched
by failure, pain, or fear and it was plain
to all who saw him that this infant would be
something special

20 years ago, a boy dreamed of spaceflight
as a given, the next natural progression
to reach the planets and move beyond the boundries
of his ancestors' existence
The dream shattered with the exploding shuttle
and snuffed the fires of passion with tears

10 years ago, a young man had it all
A promising future
success and confidence fueled his drive
until the day his body betrayed him
and cut short the future
that was all but promised

Today, a man goes to work chained and shackled
by the echoes of mediocrity and missed opportunity
Bound by obligation, the man is dead to the dreams
of the young, forced to keep his eyes down
to avoid being swept away by responsibility

10 years from now, a man grows old before his time,
dying a little more each day
Accutely aware of a life passing by, he laments
the lack of accomplishments to his name

Is simply being a good man enough for satisfaction
or does pride demand more?

beyrent, poetry, writing