I am just a young man

Scores say this: "I am just a young man."
In other words, what thousands of men
today would like to be! A potentiality with
his face to the East! A lifetime stretching ahead!
The Book of Life with clean pages to be written
on as he may elect! "Just a young man" in a time
like this: in a land like this: in a world like this!
Then he deprecates himself! In a land of opportunity
where every chance beckons and every road invites!
A road straight and clear, and the high peaks of
achievement beyond - and oh! so few on them!
To carve out of life what one wills! How many men
there are who would gladly give all they possess
to have that once more!
[Edward W. Fox]