I am a failure

I am a failure

I failed my mother and father

– so they had more children.

I failed to like cod liver oil, tapioca, even semolina.

I failed to grab the offer my father made

– so the brothers got the business.

I failed as sociologist

– so I became a bus conductor.

I failed as a conductor

– so I moved on to be a manager.

I failed as a manager

– so I became a leader.

I failed as a leader

– so I became an owner of my own business.

I failed as a husband

– so I found another wife.

I failed as a father

– so I had another child.

I failed to live forever in England

– so I sailed back to Ireland.

I failed to stop the clock

– so I faded by the day.

I failed to be satisfied

– so I changed the world

I failed to find the answer

– so I learned be a poet

With that track record

– what chance do you think I have?