“College”

Traveling across three states

Grizzly Republic left behind

Ahead, unsure of what awaits,

On the road, but still confined.

Consumed and unsure what to do

Singing had been my goal

Bored of living without a clue

Somehow I needed to find my soul.

Landing in a Texas town

The other half had found some work,

Stuck inside a trailer to drown

Feelings making me berserk!

So many things I did not know,

Road lessons were not kind,

A stunted flower, I would not grow.

Fought everything designed.

Luckily back in High School,

Those grades were still in tact,

In Stephenville a hidden jewel,

I knew it was time to act!

Grabbing an application,

My joint setting my mouth,

I signed my dedication -

No more will I head south.

Tarleton had a great selection

Sociology I did rise,

Dean’s List I made selection,

Student, my simple guise.

During class, my clock did tick

Children both then came to pass

Daunting days becoming thick.

Still learning to break glass.

Future years, down the road

A degree now in my hand,

I don’t ever question that load,

Past no more remand.

When I look back upon those years

All challenges were great

Education helped me face some fears

And I had changed my fate.

Charli Richey

February 2021