Life's Rut

It's interesting how society judges one another
Forgetting how difficult life is to handle, we try to refrain
From looking at a friend, colleague, or acquaintance
Through the eyes of a world filled with expectations

We grow up as kids and we are asked
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
We used to say doctor, lawyer or athlete.
"Oh, thats great" was the answer received

In high school we are urged to pick a profession
To enter college and pursue with fervor
Finally after all schooling is done, we sigh with relief
Then get thrown into society's jaws to get eaten

Chewed up and spit out as we struggle with the choice
A choice made in high school is heavy on our backs
Knowing our education put us on this miserable path
But the path has walls preventing us from going astray

Once in a while we may see a loose brick
But to look at the other side the wall we must be insane
What could possibly be beyond the path we chose?
Why would we venture to worlds that  are unknown?

Then we reach a point that is torture beyond comprehension
Now we are stuck in a rut that allows for nothing but compliance
But we fight against the norms that we are thrown into
To find a new career, trying to be happy, or happier

If we succeed in making this leap of faith
People look upon us and say how brilliant we are
But fail and hold all the presses
We never should have tried to change but just should have accepted

Bound by our own decisions with little room to maneuver
Restricting our options because once made we get trapped
It's not easy to change your life with a new career
Because failing is not an option in this day and age.

But if we make a mistake and choose the wrong road
Why must it be so traumatizing to everyone we know.
If I said I wanted to quit my job and be a writer
Will everyone I know look at me and say I'm insane?

Almost 20 years out of college and this choice can't be made
Starting at the bottom again is not an option for society's conscience
Money saved to risk on a new life makes me a loon
But what happens when I succeed in making it come true

Voila!  I'm a genius, an innovator, a man with vision
Everyone will look at me and think I'm a genius
But what if all attempts to make it fail with crumbling hopes
Then behold, the "I told you so's" come in a fury

What a loser I would be, a bum, a failure in life
I wouldn't even be able to support a wife
Then I lose it all and desperation sets in
Maybe a life of crime, It couldn't hurt my reputation.

So I ask you all to take a mirrored look and what do you see?
Is this the career that really makes you happy?
Would you risk it all to have your dreams come true?
Because make the wrong choice once and society says you're screwed.