Somebody



When I was young,
I always wanted to be “somebody,”
Just like the people I saw on TV
Or read about in the paper
Doing things that made others talk
About how special they are.

I went to the playground
To be somebody.
I tried to run faster,
Throw harder, and
Jump higher
Than the other kids on the block.

The other kids were better than me,
So I felt like nobody.

I went to my school
To be somebody.
I tried to read every book,
Write every letter,
And count every number
So I could be the smartest around.

My classmates were smarter than me,
So I felt like nobody.

I went to my job
To be somebody.
I showed up every day,
Took on every task,
And worked overtime
So I could be the boss someday.

They chose others to be the boss,
So I felt like nobody.

I reflect upon my life, realizing
I’m not young anymore.
In hindsight, I’m neither the best player
Nor the smartest thinker,
And I’m not the boss at work.

As evening falls,
I think of my family and friends,
And thank God that with Him and them,
I'll always be somebody.

© 2004 by Robert E. Blackwell