The Mosquito Poem by Rodolfo Martin Vitangcol

ONCE I HAD A SEMINAR ENGAGEMENT—
it's an hour drive from my apartment.
I hit the road at six in the morning—
safe enough for an 8: 00 A.M. training.

THE ENTRANCE TO THE TOLLWAY AS I NEARED,
out of the blue a mosquito appeared.
It started flying round right before me;
to my driving, it's unsettling really.

WELL, I THOUGHT WHY NOT PULL THE WINDOWS DOWN.
It worked!It's not there anymore around.
Not long, though, it was back with a vengeance—
whizzing around me like a wayward lance.

NEARING EXIT, THE MOSQUITO RESTED;
at the windshield fronting me, it settled.
I thought, "What a big mistake you've just made,
for at the count of three, you sure are dead! "

I WAITED TILL IT'S COMPLETELY QUIET,
then slowly drew my hand to the target.
My hand an inch above the mosquito,
I geared up for the smacking of my foe.

AND SO I STARTED THE COUNT: "ONE … TWO … THREE …"
And PAK! ! ! —It's I who died!Not the pesky.
Li'l did I know, the highway narrowed down;
I crashed the guard rail, tearing my car down!

HAD I HIT THE RAIL ONE INCH MORE RIGHTWARD,
my car would crumple up like a note card.
Written there on my tombstone in bold type:
"For a li'l mosquito, he gave his life."

HENCE, KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON WHERE YOU'RE GOING,
not on petty things conditions may bring,
like forgetting to swat the flying foe,
lest it's you be killed by the little woe.

WHEN YOU'RE STUDYING FOR TOMORROW'S TEST,
good to turn off your television set,
lest the shows therein pull you to the set,
come the next day, you are filled with regrets.

THE ROAD IS LINED WITH MANY DIVERSIONS,
rather designed to grab our attention.
If we want a successful conclusion,
focus on our goals, not on distractions!

Amen!

Copyright © 2018
Rodolfo Martin Vitangcol
All Rights Reserved