MY TIME STOOD STILL AS YEARS PASSED BY

I come from a stock of hearty men and women,
who worked hard, earned their keep and made a new life too,
from this country offering opportunity.

Fighting against all odds, no family, no home,
no trade or job, just obstinance to do better,
a new language, new customs, and a new culture.

They found their freedom, lost in their own motherland,
with the hopes their next generation does better,
finding and living their own American dream.

Without any rhythm or tune, I danced and sung,
I still managed to do so being blessed with,
a brain, two left feet and a voice carrying no tune.

I am and I have always been called an old soul,
going as far back as to my earliest years,
it’s only now, I see, my body, catching up.

I stand before you at near fifty-six years young,
never did I think I would have achieved success,
in a variety of aspects of my life.

In my time, I earned a post-graduate degree,
pursuing my interest working with children,
with a side step into administrative roles.

I carried the work ethic of all my ancestor’s,
pride and go beyond my best in all that I do,
even when my time stood still and the years passed by.

With it came vast changes, this was my constant.
I remained resilient to all being thrown my way,
stayed tenacious in learning everything anew.

Retiring after just over four decades,
being blessed with a great legacy filled career,
but I still carry pieces of my childhood.

Yet, I remain a social introvert coupled
with a healthy dose of innate curiosity,
leaving only my footprints for others to follow.