His dad was an Ivy League sports graduate,

With a need to live through his son.
Genius was in their blood,
Making their life one.

His mom told him that he could,
But the red marks on his tests disagreed with her.
Like warm blood in snow,
They consumed him like a fever.

Sitting at the kitchen table,
Focusing on equations he can't grasp.
A smile from his mom,
Attempting to make up for what he lacks.

His father yelling,

Saying he can.
His mother offering a look,
Claiming it's okay if he can't.

At least he had sports,
The one thing he could love.
But love of a sport,
Just wasn't enough.

Out on the field,
Fresh cut grass under his feet.
The taste of salt in his mouth,
The satisfaction of his sweat became sweet.

But in the middle of the game,
All he could hear was his coach's shout.
The angry yell only meant for him,
He got pulled out.

On his way to the bench,
A disapproving look came from his teammates.
Pouring cool water down his back,
The sport became one he hates.

He didn't know what to do,
So he took a walk through town.
Ashamed of himself,
He slumped with his head down.

He decided to look up,
To see a smooth white poster on a wall.
The sheet of thick paper screamed hope,
Maybe his life wasn't over after all.

It was of a woman,
Her stiff hand at her eyebrow corner.
The proud look on her face,
Is what drew him over.

He made his decision,
This was his life.
Though it wasn't his dad's idea of success,
He knew everything would be alright.

Later that day,
He sat his parents down.
Telling them that it was time,
For his life to turn around.

He chose his path,
One of respect.
It took courage,
But it was his best decision yet.

A week later he signed,
A brave citizen to be.
He stood proud,
As he enlisted himself in the United States Army.