I Chose

I chose  
I could’ve been
A homebound hermit,
Hypnotized by the hum
And hue,
Of a high-tech 
HD computer screen.
A slave 
To the
Rhythmic rap
Of 
Clicking keys;
Depriving me 
Of much 
Needed rest.
I’d Search 
For Love 
And friendship 
In a network 
Of strangers,
Oblivious to 
The world 
Outside.

I would’ve
Made a great 
Defense lawyer.
With my 
Appetite to argue.
I’d rescue 
Common crooks, 
Convicted of crimes;
From the 
Confinements 
Of a cell.
I’d lobby 
For leniency 
With lavish 
Litigation laws. 
Dedicating myself 
To Dissembling 
The Death penalty
I should’ve
Joined 
The army,
A proud patriot,
Surpassing 
My peers 
Through promotion;
From a potato peeling private, 
To a more 
Prominent position.
Pushing my 
Paratroopers out
Of a plane.
Parading my men
On the field 
Of battle.
I’d receive
A war
Winning wound,
Perhaps a
Purple Heart.

I could’ve
Been a detective.
Cleverly cracking
Cold cases-
CSI style,
Coercing confessions 
From criminals
And Con-men.
Collecting  a 
Cheap watch,
As compensation
For my commitment
To the precinct. 
	
I should’ve 
Been a doctor.
Devoting my life
To curing
The incurable,
Letting long hours
Deprive me
From family.
Always 
At the 
Beckon call,  
Of work 
Provided beeper.
Carrying out 
Curative procedures, 
On clients
That are
Scarcely clinging
To life.

I would’ve
Made a 
Terrific teacher.
Choosing to 
Live my life
Through the 
Youthfulness of
My students.
Teaching them 
To take on 
The world
With caution 
And Confidence.
Lecturing them
With lessons 
Of longevity.
Disguising
My desire-
Jealous of
Their youth.

My choice,
Was not to
Focus on 
One aspect 
Of life,
But to 
Experience 
Them all. 
With the stroke
Of a pen,
I walk 
All paths.
I chose
All destinies. 

I could’ve 
Been this,
Or been that…

I should’ve 
Done this, 
Or done that…

I would’ve
Made this
Or made that…

Instead,
I chose to write.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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Carrillo Avatar
October 16, 2012 at 8:50 AM
Good work. It's funny - how many things we could've been, You chose to write because it's a feeling that comes from the heart. Many blessings. Lucilla
Wright Avatar
August 18, 2012 at 10:08 AM
I love the way your thoughts flow in this well written poem. Thanks for sharing!
Dalton Avatar
August 12, 2012 at 5:31 AM
Wow very good willie love the journey
Pettit Avatar
August 11, 2012 at 7:45 PM
You have put a lot of shining effort into this submission. I admire this. Welcome to the site.
Vresk Avatar
August 9, 2012 at 9:30 PM
wow this is very good! I like it keep writing
Squyres Avatar
August 9, 2012 at 12:14 PM
Welcome to the soup !! Glad you found your way !! As always...a remarkable write. I for one am glad you chose to write !!
Brown Avatar
August 9, 2012 at 5:22 AM
A belated welcome to PoetrySoup I offer you today Willie. I wish for you the best in your writing endeavors whatever they may be. Hoping you find even more inspiration by reading some of the poetry written here by other poets. May the sun shine on you that you might find great joy in your life. Love, Carol 08/09/2012
Johnson Avatar
August 8, 2012 at 6:26 PM
This is very intriguing Willie. I could hardly wait to the end to see what you do. Does writing pay your bills? Thanks for commenting on my poem. I only wrote it for a contest. They wanted a poem about a hated word. I didn't win. Love, Joyce
 Avatar
August 8, 2012 at 11:14 AM
what an entertaining write! I like how you chose these noble professions and then pointed out your reasoning for not choosing them, the biggest negative - the unappreciated policeman, the jealousy over youth, etc. there is a lot of truth in how you portrayed them...
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