Willing and Able

You misspelled a few words and failed your

test in the eighth grade. As a child you were

admonished by your teachers insisting over

and again that you needed to apply yourself.

On the playground, you were selected last

for the kickball team, even told to go back

to where you belong. Mistakes have been

made which got you here full-grown, and

somewhere along the Interstate between

Pittsburgh and Atlanta, you stop to assist

a hapless motorist stranded on the side of

the road. Turns out to be a professor from

MIT who holds an advanced degree in en-

gineering, who is disabled and incapable of

changing a flat tire. You happen to know the

difference between a drive shaft and lug nut.

You know exactly who and where you are,

and reach for the spare tire in the trunk.

This is your country and they are grateful

you are here, capable and more than willing

to help.

Chris Hanch 8-1-19