Life As Dodgeball
My strategy in life was “low key.”
Stay on the back line and
Let the brave ones be up front so they could
Ride motorcycles, climb cliffs, and walk across ropes pulled tight.
The front line made their fully-expected early exits.
Head-on crashes, falls from high cliffs, and trips over ropes pulled not-so-tight.
As the rest of us remained on life’s back line,
Playing it safe all the time.
Those up front who dodged the falls and such
Eventually moved slowly toward the back, more in touch
With the truth that the “care to dare” group
Were really a “choose to lose” faction.
Only epitaphs rewarding their action.
Now it seems the game’s gone on too long.
My legs are wobbly and the rest of the back line’s the same.
We’re regretting our wisdom, our considered approach.
Maybe our game’s been way too tame?
I look toward the sideline and see
Those who excited early, the daring ones
Now huddled together, watching us intently,
Smirking and sneering at our long, weak-kneed folly.
Knowing that it’s we cautious “winners” who have lost, really.
—Jim Rambo—
- September 2023 – Issue - August 31, 2023
- September 2023 – Articles - August 31, 2023
- September 2023 - August 31, 2023