My friend and I graduate from high school, and go to community college.
I post a 3.0 GPA and find my calling, while he drops out after one year.
When I asked him why he said, “It’s only temporary until I’m ready to go back to school.”
Two years pass, and I am leaving community college for university.
I am moving forward with my life, while my friend is stuck in neutral.
When I asked him why he said, “It’s only temporary until I figure out my life.”
I leave home for university, and embrace a new life in a new place.
I get internship after my junior year, while my friend quits his job.
When I asked him why he said, “It’s only temporary until I get a job I like.”
I meet a sweet young woman, and she is the love of my life.
I ask her to marry me, while my friend breaks up with his girlfriend.
When I asked him why he said, “It’s only temporary until I find Miss Right.”
I graduate from university, and I get a job in the field I wanted.
I move into my own apartment, while my friend is living in his parents’ house.
When I asked him why he said, “It’s only temporary until I work everything out.”
I find my high school yearbook, and a picture of my friend and me.
I have achieved success, while my friend has embraced failure.
When I asked myself why, I had no answer.
Was there a way I could have helped my friend?
I don’t know.
Why did our parallel paths diverge so dramatically?
I don’t know.
It hurts me to ask these questions, but the pain is only temporary.
© Copyright 2017 Benjamin Goodrich
Vox Humbug 