Fear of succeeding

What if …?
A question better left unanswered
Balled up tight scared
Scared of succeeding
Don’t want to end up like the low lives that tried
“What would you like to be when you’re older?”
My first grade teacher asked as I answered
“A Parrot”
But looking back I wish I could’ve thought about the question
I’d like to be as far away from the parrot as possible
Sure it ain’t logical but so many have this profession
Walking in others shoes as if they never owned their own
Worn out at 35 they look back and wish they could’ve been original
They just say what others want them to say
Pawns at the hands of a higher power who started as they did
Their future anyone could’ve predicted
Read ‘em like a book
Kissing ass just to get the chance
When they look back they remember that question
“What would you like to be when you’re older?”
All of a sudden the cold shoulder got colder