October 16, 1996

It took three hours to prototype what the
Scouts assembled in just thirty minutes
so they can get their Engineering badge
and I can remember just who I am.

I am a master of self-direction
and there is nothing that can deter me long.
I’m flexible, adaptable, and I’m
self-reliant.  I will get the job done.

Trial and trouble made it so difficult
to prototype the catapult we made—
the story of my life today; always—
but for each a solution was defined.

And so, the Scouts made their catapults work
and will receive their Engineer honors
and I’ll re-engineer my life so I
can catapult high to the places I hope.

Still, I wish I’d had better instructions.

Catapults
Copyright © 1996-2001, Michael Todd Boyum. All rights reserved.