To Be or Not to Be

Funny how life can be.

In eighth grade

and about to graduate

Sister Anne

had the class participate

in a guessing game.

Pick a classmate

and propose

in the years to come

what they were likely

to be.

Paul A., an argumentative kid,

was sure to become

an attorney, one suggested.

Robert O., a star with the

glove and bat, surely was

destined for the

Major Leagues, another

offered.

Christine W., artist extraordinaire,

would design fashions for the

socially elite.

Robin B., friendly and

considerate of others,

would most assuredly

teach.

Robert T., excelled in science,

a doctor, many agreed.

And on and on, hands

were raised, and predictions

were made.

You see, in class

I never paid much

attention and

rarely made the grade.

I was never mentioned

in the career parade

that day.

But nonetheless

I eventually grew to

become likely too.

Likely to what

I never knew.

Until now,

and my likely to

could never

have been imagined,

especially by me.

And then before I knew it

Likely to be, I became

seventy-three,

Still alive and kicking,

and writing poetry,

                      -30-

Chris Hanch 7-2-2020