A Few Don’ts,

But If You Do

a poem by Clarence M. Humbles, 2021

Don’t play cornet in the high school band;

But if you do, just ignore the sweet and pretty fifteen year old with brown eyes and curly brown hair;

But if you do, then don’t accept her invitation to a high school mixer on St. Patrick’s Day;

But if you do, don’t let her become your steady for nearly three years;

But if you do, don’t get engaged when she is still a senior in high school;

But if a war or police action occurs, don’t drop out of Ball State and lose your deferment;

But if you do, don’t get married at 20 when you are in the Marine Corps;

But if you do, don’t let her come to North Carolina and start a family;

But if you do, don’t have five children when you are a little more than 28;

But if you do, don’t let your wife go to work as a teacher, then receptionist to help support them;

But if she does, don’t stay at the Finance Center for 30 plus years;

But if you do, don’t use vacation time to travel the United States with the family;

But if you do, don’t buy acreage near Knightstown;

But if you do, don’t have lots of picnics, hayrides, and other good times;

But if you do, don’t put all those pictures and things in a basement museum;

But if you do all those things, especially don’t let your family grow with lots of grandchildren and great grandchildren;

But if they do, enjoy that wonderful life so much.