Fred Aiken Writing

given a second wind

I might learn how to fly,

or perhaps how to cook properly so I didn’t end up so fat on processed foods,

I would appreciate my wife rather than playing hours of chess,

I might learn a different language rather than assume everyone speaks English,

I would go back and get my masters, and possibly PhD,

rather than assume academic life was not for me

and spend countless years making people coffee,

I’d stop procrastinating on yet another poem,

yet another book,

because I got too caught up thinking it needed to be the next greatest thing,

I’d learn how to get over my social anxiety and various personality disorders

that prevent me from getting to know anyone,

including myself,

I’d brush my teeth more often,

stop sneaking snickers when my wife wasn’t looking,

and maybe even stop watching so much reality television,

but because there’s no second wind,

and I’m tired out,

I guess I’ll wriggle out of self-improvement

with another dumb riddle

rather than look for another handout