andrew delapruch

the big shoes of the one you
admire most
can certainly be discouraging,
as every action seems to have
some kind of effect on the next
when self-scrutinizing
becomes the main
preoccupation
of your day-
but remember,
all still die,
until our species develops a way
out of this little conundrum &
so you have time to grow,
to progress further
than the individual whom you
look up to now,
as what they do that fascinates you
will inevitably decline &
as their overall descent into entropy
may drain them of their ability to
wow you
like they once had-
this is not to say you forget them,
but rather forget the need to
'fill their large shoes'-
for your shoes are nothing like
theirs &
there is no reason to feel that you need
to prove yourself or
extend their own memory
while living in their shadow-
just as those magicians whose songs are
covered, enjoy versions that others play
which sound absolutely nothing like
their own,
so do those with integrity
who look upon the next generation of
doers,
understand that the only mold we have
is the tissue, bones & fluid
with which we roam around with-
all else is on the table-
hands shuffled, played & thrown,
like a friday night card game.