You believe you have a future full of promise. But then the unthinkable happens.

 

The road ahead begins to meander. Life looks bleak and you hope for . . .

 

 

A Better Future Ahead

 

I pulled

the baseball

from my glove,

thrust my arm back,

and pictured

a perfect throw

to home plate.

 

Twenty-two years ago,

I was the man.

Center field,

my domain—

perfection, my dream.

 

At twelve years old,

the world was mine—

both on and off the field.

Girls looked at me

in a way

that made me hot—

oh, so hot!

 

The sweat

poured down

my face.

Chills of excitement

permeated my body.

 

Twenty-two years ago.

Twenty-two years ago.

 

My world

Is different now.

Dark clouds

draping over

my existence

create shadows

from which

I am unable

to escape.

 

I’m a prisoner

in Hell

and have nobody

to blame

but myself.

 

Twenty-two years ago.

Twenty-two tears ago.

 

I took the wrong turn,

traveled down a road

paved with fire

and hellish desire,

as I followed others

who were up

to no good.

 

I pulled

the baseball

from my glove,

thrust my arm back,

and pictured

a perfect throw

to home plate.

 

However, nothing

would ever be

perfect again.

 

I wore a uniform,

but not on my field

of dreams.

And I played

a game

in a way

I never intended.

 

I stared

at the fence

in the prison yard,

and wondered

why I did

what I did.

 

As my arm

propelled the ball,

in perfect fashion,

to the catcher

behind the plate,

I regretted

the actions

of my youth.

I stole a person’s life,

and in turn,

gave up mine.

I cringed

at the thought

of what

I’d done,

but reveled

at the call

of the ump,

”You’re out of here!”

 

Released

the next week,

I’d paid my price

for the crime

I’d committed

as a child.

I’d made

a dreadful mistake.

 

I knew

I’d never

be forgiven

for my sin,

but pictured

a better

future ahead.

 

 

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