I was 10 in '73

I was 10 in '73

I was 10 in '73,

and learning was not 'cool'.

Knowing "stuff" was showing off,

OK with teachers,

but children and adults gave you 'the look',

even cheered if you got it wrong.

Telling adults information that they did not know

was foolish.

Letting people know things earnt "shut up"

so shut up I did.

I changed myself for them.

People want to tell you things

and people want entertainment.

People don't want to know things.

Unless you could make it funny.

Usually at the expense of someone else

and I grew to dislike that

so I made fun of myself,

that made it safe for people to hear things.

I changed myself for them.

Communicating serious thought 

requires people who are serious,

so I dropped the funny act,

I changed myself for them.

Tonight watching my son 

in a hall full of excited academic teens

who all had fun showing that 

knowledge still has currency,

I could see people who do not have to

change themselves for others.

I celebrate for them,

but now, who am I?