Growing up wasn’t much fun,

In a dysfunctional family of the worst degree.

But I always knew my life wasn’t done,

The world still held much for me to see.

School was hard.. no cap and gown,

Too many things I worried about.

The path isn’t clear with your eyes looking down,

My worth I always seemed to doubt.

Friends collected from here and there,

No pattern in life could I rely on.

Even though they said they cared,

When I need them most they are always gone.

But still I knew there was more for me,

This life I barely tasted.

I would find love with my own family,

Lessons learned wouldn’t be wasted.

Striving to do always what’s right,

I did as I thought I should.

Looking back it was all in plain sight,

I failed even though I did the best that I could.

A pat on the back and a nod that I tried,

Is hardly enough to a man who’s wise.

A successful life is hard to abide,

If failure is all you see with your own eyes.

I expected too much of others and me,

Half-hearted attempts will always lose.

I give myself to others completely,

Yet I know that isn’t what others will choose.

My life in review isn’t a book,

It doesn’t deserve to be read.

A short story perhaps scanned with one look,

Or a one stanza poem instead.

I’m a dream interrupted in the middle of the night,

Or a wish unfulfilled and tossed.

I am hope with no visible end in sight,

I’m a promise not kept and lost.

The path I took had many turns,

Made of stones I stumbled and fell.

Looking back on my journey my heart yearns,

For a better man and a better story to tell.