Chance

I am 15 in Junior HS
Walking with my
Friend John and
Others playing
With an air rifle,
On the part fields
Part neighborhoods
West of San Antonio.
They are shooting at
Tree trunks and cacti
When a buzzard swoops
Low above us circling.
They pass me the air rifle
And dare me to shoot it,
I aim but consider that
My missed shot will send
A bit of metal plummeting
To earth possibly onto
Someone’s car window or
Child in their yard so I
Lower the rifle to the
Jeers of my compassions.
Doing the right thing has
A satisfying feel though
Others may see it as
Weakness to take a chance.
Ere on the side of caution
Is part of my nature,
Though if the odds
Are with me or passion
Has replaced common sense,
I can risk consequences.
We all do questionable
Things in life and we make
No apology for being human.
We learn from our mistakes.
Though, how much easier
To learn from books and the
Mistakes of others.
Yet, countries launch
Satellites that will fall
Eventually to earth as
A very large bit of metal
Hoping no one is hurt.
We make such decisions
Every time we drive a car
Or return an inquisitive gaze.