As a small child, 
I was told that when I grew up, 
I would be a preacher. 

One of those who stands in the pulpit
And screams for twenty minutes, 
A true man of God.

My Dad would introduce me by saying, 
“This is my son Roy, tell them what you're gonna be when you grow up.”
I would mutter it but with less and less force as the years passed.

They would smile,
And pat my head,
Moving on to other things

Truth be known, 
Deep in my heart
I wanted to be a hermit.

Live alone in the woods.
Find substance from the land.
That type of hermit.

And to be honest, 
With what the world is
I think I still do!

2026