Great Expectations

"When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are"
Or so a famous song goes
From a movie called "Pinocchio"

And yes, that does hold true
With a caveat or two.
For when you have expectations great
You can't just depend on fate.

The path to the stars is strewed
With obstacles to test if desire is true
'Coz it's darn easy to build castles in the air
But to make dreams reality, very few dare,

The road is bumpy, is filled with care
With fair doses of turmoil and despair
With those crippling moments of doubt
When it looks like things are going south.

You grit your teeth
You develop a thick skin
You cringe in private
In public, you grin.

You learn that false pride
Is a companion most cold
You cannot afford to be shy
If you want to strike gold.

You clutch your private miseries
Close to your heart.
'Coz to the public
You must play a flawless part.

You excise distractions
For you can ill afford
To take your eyes off
Your final goal.

And life often throws you a curveball
A grief so tremendous, to your knees you fall.
But like a phoenix, from those ashes you rise
Stronger, with determination in your eyes

And yes, the darkest hour is
Often just before daybreak
You realize that life on you,never inflicts
More care than you can take.

And as a ray over the horizon slips,
You wipe away a tear, stiffen that upper lip
For ahead of you ,a long, winding road lies
You steadily plod on towards your prize ...

Liff As I Know It!