Stanley sighed deeply, gazing out towards the unreachable vision of success, on the living room couch.
“What a mess,” he kept thinking to himself, “what do I do now?”
He had been applying to jobs nonstop, and none of them had gotten back to him. It had been two months since he had finally finished college, and he had been ready to dive in straight into the work world.
Yet Patience, Effort, and Time hadn’t paid him their due visit, leaving him with nothing but Time.
Was life going to turn out like this? How can it be that he had put in so much effort into getting his degree, gaining what little experience he could, all the while trying to actually enjoy his life a bit, but yet, no fruit had come from it?
His parents would always tell him how great rewards come with great efforts, but now it only seems like a step above saying “There, there, everything will be alright.”
Overwhelmed by the growing vortex of self-doubt, Stanley sunk into the couch. He kept gazing out the window in a trance, hearing his mother call out for dinner. This night, they were having fried chicken and stuffing — the family favorite. While Stanley’s brother, Mark, jumped up in glee and immediately took his seat, Stanley stayed on the couch, contemplating his mistakes, ignoring the meal he used to love the most.
What a painful existence. If only there was another.
Mark sat on the floor, petting the family tabby cat.
She stretched her back, her tail almost giving Mark a smack.
He let out a giggle, his finger doing a wiggle,
giving the cat one nice pat.
Mark had no more school, and no more worries about being called a fool.
This summer was going to be the best one ever!
With Ice Cream in the fridge, he’ll only have a smidge,
since dinner is coming, but still, Mark has to have something!
He looked over at Stanley, who lately was acting blandly.
Mark couldn’t understand why, but Stanley kept staring outside.
Was there something Mark couldn’t see? Maybe it was beyond the trees?
No matter how far he would look, he could not see what he mistook.
Whatever Stanley had been seeing, must’ve been something intriguing, or was there no other meaning?
Oh! But wait! Mark’s mother is calling! Dinner was waiting, and Mark’s stomach was rumbling.
He plopped on the chair, served himself a good share,
Not waiting for his brother, for Mark was the hare!
What a good meal! Fried chicken and stuffing,
Mark forgot all about rhyming, his favorite meal was here!
Eating his favorite meal, he couldn’t help but slightly squeal,
There had to be no life better than this, what more could he miss?
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