Today I am

Today I am in my khakis as I am leaving for school.

I did not choose them at random

for they are a dress code rule.

I volunteer each Friday at dismissal

and walk the 1.5 mile trek to the city hospital.

I must look clean and dutiful as

I wait until I am needed.

I help to discharge patients and

serve kindly and unheeded.

When I am in my khakis

everyone who knows me knows

I am going to the hospital because

that is what they show.

If I did not wear my khakis

I would still lend a hand

to the home bound patient in the wheelchair

because that is who I am.

Today I am in my sweatpants as I am leaving for school.

I did not choose them at random

for they are comfortable and cool.

They are tattered at the bottom and faded out from wear.

When I am sitting in my classroom

I don't really care.

When I am in my sweatpants

everyone who knows me knows

I am not interested in fashion

because that is what they show.

If I did not wear my sweatpants

I would still be regarded as prudent.

Because of my interests and choices

I am an honor student.

Tomorrow I will be in my scubpants as I am leaving for school.

I will not choose them at random

for they are medical assigned control.

Everything about these clothes will tell others who I am.

What field of study, what school, what level

and everything they can.

When I am in my scrubpants

everyone who knows me knows

I have worked hard to get here

because that is what they show.

If I did not wear my scrubpants,

it would still be no better or worse.

It really is what is inside that makes a future nurse.

Brian Palko