I learn along the way sometimes, that things I held dear at an earlier point had well outlived their useful life with me. It takes some time to change. May I, may we, get better at it.
blast mode
I was taught
through years of coaches exhortations
to give 110%
to always try harder
quitting is never an option
so in college I hung a
“Clark Gets It Done”
heavy equipment ad
on my room door.
And when deadlines came
I’d go into overdrive
and blast through
and get it done
“Blast Mode”.
A try harder and harder ethic
it took me 20 years to undo
At 40,
playing lunch time basketball with a group of 20 somethings
I found I could rest while playing
and use my strengths and gifts more wisely
and in so doing
I could run as fast
score as many points,
and block their shots
without going into overdrive
With my endurance harder to come by
I learned the value of giving up
slowing down
centered in my strengths
my gifts
waiting in the midst of the hustle
I no longer had to know everything.
I no longer had to be stronger than everyone.
I no longer had to beat everyone at everything
(c) clarksapoet@mac.com 7/21/08
