THERE GOES MY EVERYTHING

 THERE GOES MY EVERYTHING
 The man walks off the field
 Traveling under his own power
 A big boy, in reality, six foot seven, 
 Weighing 350 pounds of muscle and fat
 He is limping, but trying not to show it
  
 There are braces and bandages 
 He is wrapped in these
 A college football player who gave his all
 Now wondering about his future in pro-ball
 Will he be sound enough by draft day?
  
 What is his stock worth in the eyes of those who count?
 Twenty years of his life dedicated to this end
 New house for mama, who has always been there for him
 Brand new shinny car for papa for all his work
 Then the possibility that this has all been for naught
  
 A career ending injury sabotages his dreams
 He can fall back on his education and 
 Become a worker, a teacher, coach, welder or builder
 One never knows in life; here today, gone tomorrow
 Shouldn’t this, especially this, be taken into consideration?
  
 We should begin our march into the adventures of life
 With advisors and mentors who will keep our emotions 
 And exuberant spirit under control, pointing out all possibilities
 So often early success casts a big stamp of disregard on wisdom
 We fly with the eagles, like there is no tomorrow, casting care aside
  
 We should prepare for alternatives, just in case
 He almost made it is not the label we want
 Must not let life’s potential slip away, when strong character
 Will allow us to face up to the realities.  We gather our positives
 Forget about depression and begin the march to new goals
  
 Stanski
 January 3, 2019 ^