Leaving The Program

In the end,
he felt this is what he had to do.
The ballyhooed high school star
was no more.  Instead stood
a young man looking to move on.
It didn't work out,
the dreams of being the
Big Man On Campus,
playing in front of full stadiums,
in front of TV audiences,
in front of Mom and Dad,
beaming proud that their child
was starring in the spotlight.
But none of that happened.
Instead he spent his time
on the sidelines
signaling in plays.
Sure, he worked hard
and studied
and lifted
and prepared with his teammates.
But the starting nod always
seemed to pass him by.
Now he sees the reality of it all.
It didn't work out,
another boyhood dream
drained of life by the machine
of a big-time college program.
He's trying not to leave
feeling any regrets
for he does have a degree in his hand,
and friendships to last a lifetime,
and is a part of a football family.
But one has to wonder
if there could've been more.
It doesn't matter now.
He's decided to go on with his life.
People back home told him
to not forget about them
when he made it.
Now he just hopes they
don't forget about him
because he didn't.