‘No individual can arrive even at the threshold of his potentialities...’
Until he has learned the true value of pelf,
Retrained to avoid being put on the shelf,
Jockeyed for promotion - so vulnerable that elf
When left to himself.¹
‘No individual can arrive even at the threshold of her potentialities...’
Till cultural tradition has defined what is normal,
Made the intelligible boundaries of experience less formal
With a diet of drugs, TV and the paranormal
To sustain her morale.²
‘No individual can arrive even at the threshold of his potentialities...’
If he is exploited, diseased or depressed;
But he regains the capacity, when he’s convalesced,
To justify his pay, knowing it is the best
Endurance test.³
‘No individual can arrive even at the threshold of her potentialities...’
Till she understands what her culture expects of her
And tempers her curiosity to her role as babysitter,
Her desire to exert influence to demands on the ironer,
Unlike her teacher. 4
‘No individual can arrive even at the threshold of his potentialities...’
Till he makes informed choices about how to grow,
Has confidence to act so that others will know,
Answers for his failures and successes, although
Not the status quo. 5