What Would You Do?

The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready. - Thoreau

what would you do

if you were waiting for the bus

and it never came

years go by

and you're still waiting

with your beard down to the ground

and your head going 'round and 'round

what would you do

with your spirit hanging low in shame

going insane

playing the waiting game

saying so long to fame

no ticket to claim

no one knows your name

tell me

what would you do

Author's Note

"What is the price-current of an honest man and patriot to-day? They hesitate, and they regret, and sometimes they petition; but they do nothing in earnest and with effect. "They will wait, well disposed, for others to remedy the evil, that they may no longer have it to regret. At most, they give only a cheap vote, and a feeble countenance and Godspeed, to the right, as it goes by them." - Thoreau

Reviews

[R.E. Ray]

Pete, first I love ZZ Top and that song. They were my favorite band in high school, and I went to the Afterburner concert, 1986 I recall.

Coupling ZZ Top with Thoreau is original and shows some common threads run through time. I’m reminded too of Emerson’s essay, Self Reliance, and “speak your latent conviction...,” etc.

Glad I read these men in high school and college. I’ve never been the one waiting on the bus. Maybe I’ve been like Forest Gump. I just started running one day. So, I guess I can’t answer your question. :) Love this piece!

[Pete]

"life is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're gonna get." thoreau wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty either - used to turn rocks over to see what was underneath. he lowered string/rope into walden pond to determine its depth of about 100 feet. people who don't wait for buses are leaders and trail blazers. i like and appreciate your thoughts on the matter. you must be a 'sharp dressed man' too as zz sang ... :)

[R.J Calzonetti]

The world moves on without us. And the people too. Whether they want to or not.

[Pete]

good answer r.j. time marches on and life continues no matter. it's up to us to find our own way ... :)