A Very Serious Child

 

 

I was a very serious child. 
Everyone agreed. Yes, very serious.
Perhaps too serious.
Yes, probably too serious.
Born under the influence of Saturn
I was...well, saturnine and solemn
as if knowing from an early age
that life was serious business
and not to be taken lightly.
Two elementary school teachers noted
in my report cards:
Alan doesn't smile much. 
Like, though doing well
in Reading, Writing and Arithmetic,
I might fail Smiling?

 

 

 

 

 

 

First posted: February 16, 2020