You Were Supposed To Be Watching

 

You were supposed to be watching

As I draped the black robe onto my shoulders

And placed the square cap onto my head.

But instead

You draped yourself into a bar chair

And placed your hand around a cup

 

You were supposed to be watching

As I walked across a green field

And sat down on a hard chair.

But instead

You walked across the black parking lot

And sat down on a soft car seat.

You were supposed to be watching

As I listened to speeches

And awaited my bright future.

But instead

You listened to the officer

And awaited your darken future.

 

You were supposed to be watching

As I marched across a stage with my head held high

And was handed my diploma

Looked on by a crowd of people in the same situation.

But instead

You were marched across a room with your head down low

And was handed your arrest papers

Looked on by a cell of people in the same situation

 

You were supposed to be watching

As loved ones came to me with pride in their eyes

And congratulations on their tongue

As I readied to go home

But instead

A loved one came to you with shame in his eyes

And criticisms on his tongue

As he readied to take you home

 

You were supposed to be watching

As I cut into my cake

Icing coating the knife

But instead

You cut into your wrist

Blood coating the knife

 

You were supposed to be watching

As I stared my new life

But instead

You tried to end yours

 

You were supposed to be watching

You were supposed to be watching, Grandpa.