Leader of the Pack

In most things, I’m not the leader of the pack,

I think I must wear invisible lead shoes.

Cause something always holds me back.

I try, but I likely will never keep up with you.

In school, there were no blue ribbons,

And gym class could be hard.

Coach said I was the first in his class,

To ever win a D on a report card.

I recall telling the coach.

I may not be the leader of the pack,

Never one to win first place.

That’s okay as long as I keep on moving.

What’s important is that I finish the race.

Coach was quiet for a bit.

I could see he was doing some heavy thinking.

I guess he was deciding about me and that D.

He handed me my card and walked away deep in thought.

I looked, and there on my report card, I saw C.

Hey! I consider that a win!!

Ohh, I’m not holding back,

Even if life has set my pace.

As long as I do my best,

I may end up dead last, but I am still willing,

To run with the rest of the human race.

To this day, the mantra I sing to myself is …

I may not be the leader of the pack,

Never one to win first place.

That’s okay as long as I keep on moving.

What’s important is that I finish the race.

So, if one day you and I ever run together,

We can help each other keep up the pace.

It doesn’t matter to me who wins last place,

What’s important is that we finish the race.

What’s important is that we finish the race.

PS --- You can share my mantra.

© 2025 John Osinga. All rights reserved. St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada.