they want the best for us
don’t they?
like
the teacher
who told you
that your work
reminded her
of Paul Cezanne
and you thought of
that lady
in her
green hat
and you think that you
would have painted her
differently

…you would have
softened the tones
drawn her out
…pulled that amused
expression
into a bemused smile…

…but you
knew in a flash
(13 years later)
that you didn’t paint
like anyone in
particular…
you knew it then
didn’t you…

that you
couldn’t paint anything
wouldn’t paint anything
refused to paint anything
of great worth
AND
you’d fail at art
and data entry
lock smithing
and telemarketing
and finally
computer programming
and you’d come to deal
with all of that
in good time
and you’d find yourself
conveniently
the misplaced
driver of the year
for the most prestigious
trucking company in
Denver.