A CAREER THROUGH MY OWN CHRYSALIS

I won’t lie to you or anyone,
When you make the call to retire.
It will be one of those milestones,
Filled with so many mixed emotions.
Once the words out, it can’t be undone,
Memories leave me with a smile,
With random trickles of escaped groans,
In between my faithful devotions.

At times, I reflect and reminisce,
It began some forty years ago.
The summer before starting high school,
I applied for a job at the Y.
This shy, stout, awkward was also this,
Insecure and introvert fellow,
Who made it to the interview pool,
By giving it my very best try.

After round one, I was selected,
Junior counselor for summer day camps.
As my first job, my first position,
I was scared, nervous and excited.
During training, I was elected,
To be part of the group, grade one champs.
I was a welcomed new edition,
To a team that was reunited.

It seemed those days were just yesterday,
Yet, years flew by faster than I hoped.
But decades flew by even faster,
While I continued my flashback.
I tried to take it all in today,
Seems like weeks, months and years interloped,
Time in its own right is life’s master,
With my memory is my look back.

If I could press pause for a moment,
I would recall some of my best times.
If I could only press fast forward,
Then I would pass over some rough times.
I look back at my years without lament,
Many try reading between the lines,
Thinking I was asked to step forward,
Ignoring all the obvious signs.

I left on my terms and how I wished,
Thinking how fast the years flew on by.
I finished not one, but three degrees,
All with full honors and accolades.
Over years, my career took a twist,
When a leader urged me to apply,
For jobs outside of my expertise,
In becoming a jack of all trades.

I held just as many positions,
In my over forty-year career.
I remained loyal to the Y,
Through many changes, growth and leaders.
I chased my new career ambitions,
As the Y traversed a new frontier,
Leaving a legacy for this guy,
Who became one of the succeeders.

IT’S ALL ABOUT ME, NOT YOU

I will be,
Your very first encounter,
Meeting someone like myself.

With disbelief,
I do stop and look around,
Seeing what they say is true.

Matter of fact,
Despite what you want to think,
All does revolve around me.

I find ways,
Embellish all that you say,
Making myself look better.

With my eyes,
I look for the perfect time,
To steel your identity.

Boredom spews,
As you share your life’s stories,
Trying so hard not to yawn.

I make sure,
With every word your mouth says,
I diminish what you say.

I know you,
Better than you know yourself,
I can finish all your thoughts.

When in truth,
I am thinking, how and when,
I will one up your tall tale.

Over time,
I’ll adopt it as my own,
Leaving fragments of your soul.

You question,
How I still come out ahead,
When I make it about me.

I answer,
I‘m the one who stole your light,
Leaving you in my shadow.

Remember,
I’m the one, for no reason,
Deflated your excitement.

Seriously,
Do I have to remind you,
It’s not about you today,

Since my birth,
Everyone reminded me,
How it will be about me.

All of you,
May think you are important,
Except I know, I’m the one.

When the time’s right,
I tried to find my courage,
Speak those three difficult words.

A voice said,
Before I had a slight chance,
Saying that I am sorry.

I decided,
My efforts would gain nothing,
But make it all about you.

I would lose,
Far much more than I worked for,
Less than if I stayed quiet.

When it’s time,
For you choose to surrender.
Stand back and stand far away,

As I shout,
You should really know by now,
It’s all about me, not you.