Possible Pasts

Was thrilled to see a near-perfect production of The History Boys last night at the Stoner with Proctor and friends. Great cast; especially the boys. It has been said that it's about the nature of history and the evolving purpose of education, and has a quite interesting plot about tolerating certain kinds of pedophilia. However, the subtext I found most interesting was about all the things that don't happen, or won't happen because we took the left fork in the road versus the right. Reminded me of one of my favorites:

Your Possible Pasts - Roger Waters

They flutter behind you your possible pasts
Some brighteyed and crazy
Some frightened and lost
A warning to anyone still in command
Of their possible future, to take care

In derelict sidings the poppies entwine
With cattle trucks lying in wait
For the next time

She stood in the doorway
The ghost of a smile
Haunting her face
Like a cheap hotel sign
Her cold eyes imploring
The men in their macs
For the gold in their bags
Or the knives in their backs

Stepping up boldly
One put out his hand
He said, " I was just a child then
Now I'm only a man"

By the cold and religious
We were taken in hand
Shown how to feel good
And told to feel bad
And strung out behind us
The banners and flags
Of our possible pasts
Lie in tatters and rags

Do you feel in command of your possible future?