the third option in poetry

Sometimes the responsible thing to do
is not to take on commitments
rather than going crazy fulfilling them
accept when not to at all.
If you know you’re gonna be an artist
with few connections to bolster your chance
don’t take out many loans
don’t get married or have any kids
that’s what I did,
so far.

Everyone I know seems
to be quitting their steady jobs now
to chase their lifelong dreams
it just makes me wanna scream
I CUT OUT THE MIDDLE MAN, BABY!
I cut right to the chase
fifteen years since school straight
of intermittently falling flat on my face
and occasionally getting to do amazing things
sometimes I’m terribly anxious
sometimes my heart just sings
and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I mean,
I’d rather be a smashing success
maybe I will be some day but I’m not yet
but I’d rather have this
than anything being normal could get
I’ll just say I was rather smart about it
I only have college debt
I don’t have any kids
I took the third option responsibly
that’s what I did.

And that’s what I’m still doing.