Then, Now and Later

He slouched in front of his computer
and played video games in his red and green sweater.
He walked in the empty areas of the field,
and only said one word when spoken to.
He dreamed of someday programming video games,
directing films or becoming a fireman.
“You’re a smart boy, but your irresponsibility
will have major consequences someday.”

He stands beside his desk
and plays his bass guitar in his solid black sweater.
He sits at a table with a group of friends
and speaks his mind when they ask him what he thinks.
He studies the English language,
and hopes to teach it to people someday.
“You’re an intelligent, hard-working young man,
and I bet I’ll hear about you in the future.”

He will shiver inside his cardboard box
and think about his past in his torn grey sweater.
He will crawl across the pavement
and speak only to beg for change.
He will spend his time reminiscing over the past,
and will wonder how he ended up this way.
“You had so much potential,
but it seems laziness and apathy has won.”