I developed the reputation of never quite working up to my potential. (Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th edition, page 502)

“Potential.” Winston Churchill
thought not strength, not intelligence,
but continuous effort was the “potential”
unlocking key. Helen Keller dismissed
being only one, looked not at inability
to do everything, focused on ability
to do something,
resolved never to fail to do what she could
just because she couldn’t do it all.

Potential. I’ve got it. I’ve squandered it,
I guess, these long years, nudged the fame,
the success I might have grasped. Potential.
It sticks around. Tomorrow is a turning point.
Tomorrow, I will turn. Tomorrow I will explore
the paths I’ve evaded. Tomorrow I’ll work hard
to do the next right thing time after time after time.