Only

by Tom Guyette

“Only” is a powerful word.

When I was little, I thought that a bad meal was the end of the world.

Then I realized, it was only one meal of many.

Later, I thought a bad grade was the end of the world.

Then I realized, it was only a C.

Later, I thought losing my job was the end of the world.

Then I realized, it was only a job.

But then “only” got ugly.

The only problem was that the job was my only source of income.

Someday, I will probably realize that it was only income.

And later, I will probably realize that it’s only death.