I think this poem dates from the time between my leaving hospital and returning to work. It was written in response to an overly-critical comment a man made to my father about my driving.
- Okay! Next time you have something to say
- About my driving
- Tell it to me!
- Right?
- Just because I came in that gate
- A little faster than your sedate
- Five miles per hour,
- Just because of one isolated incident,
- One minute out of a lifetime…
- You condemn me
- As an unsafe driver.
- Let me tell you…
- That accident did more for me
- Than you—
- Or anyone else—
- Will ever know.
- But what gets me
- Is that because I was upset
- This morning,
- And drove a little faster
- Than I normally would have
- (And I don't normally drive like that)
- You condemn me.
- Still,
- It figures:
- You're just another member
- Of the Older Generation.
- Ready to condemn
- The kids
- At every opportunity.
- Ever-ready to be critical.
- Ever-ready to jump to conclusions.
- Just because we do something
- That’s a little different
- From your own conservative
- Outlook
- And opinions.
- Well,
- Only time will tell
- I suppose.
- Only time will tell
- Who’s right.
1971
Copyright © 1971-2008 by Alien Son. All rights reserved.