Training Begins Early

I remember graduating from kindergarten at the tender age of five and being told that I had to recite a poem during the ceremony. Not once did my mother ask me if I thought I could do it, for that fact neither did my teacher. In my five year old mind, the fear of learning so many words was never addressed. I just thought that it had a lot of funny sounding words. As strange as it sounds, forty five years later I can still see the paper containing what I thought was the longest words in history at least my history. The poem was entitled "Future Moments".

I remember getting my hair straightened and curled in the "Candy Curls" that every girl in my class wanted (my hair was long enough to pull it off). Now they call them "spiral curls". I remember my mom adjusting and readjusting my graduation cap and making sure there was not a wrinkle to be seen in my graduation gown in the mad dash to get me to graduation with time to spare. Then came the time for me to give my speech and I was called to that huge stage that swallowed me and I recited my poem.

Future Moments ***

Oh you ask, what use can we make of moments.

I will not stay here to prove or illustrate the truth.

That as are the moments, so will be the hours, and the days which we live.

He who is able and willing to take unto himself,

Is no less able or willing to build for himself.

I curtsied as I was taught and had practiced no less than 100 times, at least I thought it was that many times. Apparently, I did a good job because my Mother and Grandmother were grinning from ear to ear and clapping loud enough to stop a train at 200 yards. Then my kindergarten teacher walked up on the stage and gave me the biggest hug a little kid could dream of especially from a teacher I thought was mean. From then on, anytime there was a need for a recitation in school or church guess who got the call. You got it my mom!!!

*** I have tried to find the author of this poem. So far I have not been successful. If someone finds it please let me know.