'What will you be when you grow up?'

Knowing not, yet wanting to please,

Haunting me daily, a nagging disease.

Lacking strength much misdirection

All I want is 'failure protection.' 

To break free from this shackle,

A certain problem I cannot tackle. 

When I was younger, lacking hunger,
Deep inside, Craving courage

Threaten to pout if you discourage,

'If not a police then a fighter of fires,'

Saving victims while punishing liars!

I know you see that will be me! 

Anxious pre-teen, unsure boy

Missing thrown out useless toys

Eyes to the ground with a lowly mumble,

'Actor or a big rock-star.'

Endless praise glory and fame.

That's the me I fancy to see!

Teen years find life less serious

loving laziness never curious,

Foolishly grinning, I proudly boast

'Marry a wife whose really hot.'

If I'm lucky she'll let me smoke pot.

That will be me who cares what you see!

 

Entering college time to shine

Enveloped in fear, failing to rhyme

A doubting optimistic mutter,

'A CEO at least a lawyer.'

Leading the way like Tom Sawyer.

Will that be me? Truth be told i fail to see.

Graduation it looms nearer,

Need more time with a mirror, 

Forcing a sense of determination, 

'writer, comedian, something creative'

God I hope I like my reflection.

What do I see inside of me?

Needing guidance, I take a test

Promising help to find a calling

The first question, it's vagueness appalling

'What do you think you do best?'

Writing The first thing that pops into mind,
'The one thing I do best you see has always been to just be me.'

 

Reviews

[Sasha]

I like this a lot too. I can empathize with the boy/teen/man's dreams changing with age and how on one end you're absolutely certain but by the time you're old enough to do something about it, you don't know anymore. All of this is well written but the second stanza is my absolute favorite.

[J.M. Barrett]

Great poem. I always face this often. I'm twenty-two and I still don't know!!

"All I want is 'failure protection.' "
So true.

"Graduation it looms nearer,
Need more time with a mirror,
Forcing a sense of determination,
'writer, comedian, something creative'
God I hope I like my reflection.
What do I see inside of me?"

I really like this verse because I relate to it so well. Definitely what I've been thinking. Just something creative!

I like the way you tied up the whole piece as well.
'The one thing I do best you see has always been to just be me.'

[Shamrock]

These thoughts I can understand. I can agree with your thoughts. I love your writing. It is very much like me. The differences between us is that I am as curious as a cat about life in general.