What Will I Be

Battles are lost even if won

When I grow up what will I be

I ask myself this now

As I reflect on a life

Which much of which has passed

There was a time like all

Small boys

That I wanted to be a policeman

Or a fireman

Years went by

And I grew in height

I had new ideas

Of what I'd be when I grew up

There came a time

I had to get serious

As college was near

Or maybe not

War was waging

As it does today

And many thoughts

And dreams 

Ended Here

Reviews

[Nirupama.H]

So relatable.. Reminds me of Doris Day's song - " Que sera sera"
I guess dreaming big, which previously came naturally, turns into a conscious effort that we have to push ourselves to do once we grow up..
When I was very young, I wanted to become an ice sculptor ..now it seems funny. Haha.

[Willard Wells]

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and read my words. My thoughts originally were based on the thoughts of many when young, but before war takes their life.

[Nirupama.H]

Oh okay.. when you said war in the poem, I took it to mean contradictions of the mind.

[Coyote Poetry]

Youth, hope and dreams. A young person dream.
"There came a time
I had to get serious
As college was near
Or maybe not"
Come a time where we must become adults. Sort of sad. Thank you Willard for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Willard Wells]

Thank you kind sir. I greatly appreciate the reading and commenting on my work.

[Coyote Poetry]

My pleasure and you are welcome.

[.]

~~ this is a very powerful and poignant piece about how wars limit career options to the point of crushing dreams... ~~ my dad served in the Indian Air Force for over 33 years... ~~ i've met many people who gave up their personal aspirations to protect our country... just because a few powerful people decided to go to war against each other... ~~ your poem relays all of this and more... in a very poetic and subtle way...

[Willard Wells]

Thank you Serah. Many did loss options, but so many had there future dreams ended because of death. War is only a political tool of the bored rich and powerful to gain more money and power. Due to the zealous Religious groups around the world each with their own agenda, i don't if this will ever change. As they say, it is the old men of the world sending young men to die for thoughts they are not even familiar with. Thank you for reading and commenting on my work.

[.]

~~ my privilege, monsieur Willard... and i agree with you entirely... ~~ and even i doubt if this will ever change especially with groups like ISIS (Islamic State) ratcheting up emotions the way they do... (in the name of religion)...

[Samuel Dickens]

Excellent--you've told it like it was. Truly, things didn't go the way many of us thought or hoped it would. Some of my peers were set on a safe path to success by their wealthy lineage, but not me or thousands of others. By the time I had some inkling of what I might want to be when I grew up, I'd already spent ten years in the military.

[Willard Wells]

Life goes on no matter the plan of mice or men. Realization of these changes in direction or loss of direction is not realized if you survived until often many years later. By then your goals are simpler and sometimes your just happy to be alive and able to look back at the changing past. Thank you for reviewing and commenting on my work. It is greatly appreciated.

[Chirag Kumar]

Wonderful poem Willard. Short poem yet a thought provoking one. Loved it :)

[Willard Wells]

Give me a break Chirag, I have more than 3 lines, that's a long poem for me. Hahaha. JK, Glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate the read and comments. Have a good evening.

[Deekshita]

Hello Sir, I really liked the poem. It sort of shows the way people all ponder as to what they should be. . Really Nice :D

[Willard Wells]

Thank you for reading and commenting. i am glad you enjoyed it.

[R Smith]

wow! that starts out so full of hope and joy and then 'Wham!' what an ending, i guess we all think of what we want to be but cannot see that no matter what we feel there are others lurking in the shadows prepared to steal our dreams and our lives with their wars and deeds because that's what they want us to be when we grow up! A great poem Willard, truly it is :)

[Willard Wells]

Thank you Richard for your kind words. I tried to write it so it was not just a US citizens view, because truly the same issues effect everyone around the world. Sadly there are those who's dreams are to have food today and tomorrow along with hopefully still being alive.

[AaronFreitas]

This is an awesome write Willard. I know I still ask myself what I want to be... what will make me happy. I can definitely relate to these words my friend :)

[Willard Wells]

Life is a moving target and seldom is the bulls eye found, but get close and you may find your way, but with what is happening in the world, it diminishes those dreams in short order. I started out with the "I" concept, but then when I got to the thought of war it changed the write. Thanks for reading and commenting

[sereenaoutloud]

Great write that really had me thinking ..i think life is a journey that we are constantly learning and growing up from ! Sure were are more grown up than yesterday but still less grown up than tomorrow (wee twist on that saying lol)

[Willard Wells]

Thank you for reading and commenting on my evening run of words. appreciated.

[Perkele.7885]

Did you ever grow up? Or did you stop growing so all bets were then off?

[Willard Wells]

Well it a matter of opinion and good or bad, I really only listen to myself. i will never grow up. It's a matter of being phrased so the more normal might comprehend my idea. This started with an idea that ended in a completely different place. Thanks for reading. and commenting.