How long do the flames of ambition
Once stoked by a blue ribbon, an exciting summer class
Follow you in everything you do?
As a 23-year-old
Is it the letters of praise from graduate programs — MIT, Stanford, Harvard
That push you to enter what may be
The most difficult, rewarding 6 years of your life?
Or is it
That celebratory ice cream with Dad
After acing the SAT as a thirteen-year-old
That look on you classmates’ faces
As you explain special relativity
Without really knowing what physics is
That feeling that Oklahoma has a problem
And you have to escape, to do more
To be more.
Is it that, that feeling of awe and bewilderment toward nature
That follows you even today
Making you restless
Hopeful
Scared
Hungry
You need truth. (where are my goggles?)
