Feet First Poem by louis rams

i came into this world feet first
they told my mother
out of her three sons, i would be the one
always on the run.

i'd go through life without a care
the thoughts i had, i would not share.
i never stood around long enough for
anyone to get close to me
for too much pain i did see.

i joined the army, so i would not be
close to any family.
little did i know that my thoughts would change
and from here on, i would never be the same.

i played the field with all the girls
and told them whatever they wanted to hear.
but i also made it quite clear

that i was a man on the run
and not be put under the gun.

i was like the wind, here one minute and
gone the next, and i would not be a sacrificial test.
til the day that i went to the company dance
and glanced across the floor.
there she stood proud as can be
just as if she was waiting for me.

i walked across the floor like a fox
waiting for its prey.
she looked at me, and told me to go away.

astounded, dumbfounded, i could not believe.
i did this to others, not them to me.
i sucked in the air and put out my chest
of me she would not get the best.

i walked over to her again and asked her to dance
she looked at me and said 'not a chance'
my friends tell me that you're always on the run
but with me, you will have no fun.

i was born feet first just like you
but at least i knew what to do.
i know when to slow down and make it last
i don't dwindle on the past.

you're getting older and it's time
to settle down
but not one, with whom you've found.

because you have seen a lot of pain
does'nt mean that everyones the same.
open your heart so that you could see
all the beauty thats within me.

i apologized and asked if we could
start from scratch
for my ways i had to patch.

we started it off very slow
and i knew i had a long way to go.
but if i had her by my side
everything would turn out fine.

i told my family what i found.
and that i was settling down.
then i said to my family:

this is a comical, egotistical story
there is no fame, there is no glory.
i came out on the run, and now i'm
enjoying life, and having fun.