The Passenger Poem by Lee Geoghegan

Born in December on a cold winter's day
I was baptised a Christian without any say
My life given direction before I could walk
A school then chosen before I could talk

I went through communion and was soon confirmed
In my inner cocoon I wriggled and squirmed
I advanced through school to the final stage
Soon after that I was earning minimum wage

I lost that job and ended up in university
Spending years later enduring much adversity
I married and worked until I was told to retire
My life force consumed like a ravenous vampire

I sit here a widow, my kids flown the nest
Patiently I wait for my eternal rest
I spent my best days in the passenger seat
I now well up in tears as my life's all but complete

I feel like I've never truly had much of a say
Just putting my head down day after day
It took twenty more years until my heart gave in
Finally it's time to get me out of this skin