Expectations

Dad, Mom, David John, Wayne Morris, Douglas Maynard

1947 Gilboa New York

Ruminations At 70

I’m looking at their picture and am wondering if I had
Ever met the expectations of my mother and my dad
When looking back a past events, it seems it went quite well,
Though my mother and my sisters always said I’d go to hell

‘Cause I didn't have much faith in those things I couldn’t see
And that’s why the Flat Creek Baptist Church saw less and less of me.
As the magazines and books I read took me ‘round the world
And then at twelve, I recognized those things out there called girls.

About sixteen, the cigarettes and beers were all the rage
As I watched James Dean and Elvis rock the movies and the stage
Through high school and first college my folks helped me do alright,
Though the switchblade from Ft. Wayne caused my Dad a sleepless night

When he saw it in the attic on the dresser by my bed
And he asked me what the hell was going on there in my head
After that, I joined the Army, then college and career

And wife and kids and family and now old age is here

When I think about my parents, my emotions ebb and tide

And I hope I didn’t scare them much on my erratic ride
And ‘though they never said too much no matter what I did
I think they felt the same as I when watching both my kids
I hope they felt the same as I when watching both my kids…….